Bible in 90 Days

11 Open thy delatot (gates), O Levanon, that the eish (fire) may devour thy cedars.

² Wail, O cypress, for the cedar is fallen; the mighty is despoiled; wail, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the dense forest is toppled.

³ Hear the sound of the wailing of the ro’im (shepherds); for their glory is destroyed; the sound of the roaring of young lions; for the ga’on of the Yarden (Jordan) is laid waste.

⁴ Thus Hashem Elohai said: Shepherd the tzon haharegah (the flock marked for slaughter);

⁵ Whose buyers slaughter them, and hold themselves not guilty; and they that sell them say, Baruch Hashem, I have become rich! And their own ro’im (shepherds) spare them not.

⁶ Nor will I any more pity the yoshvei ha’aretz (the inhabitants of the land), saith Hashem; and hinei, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbor’s hand, and into the power of his melech; and they shall strike ha’aretz, and out of their hand I will not deliver them.

⁷ So I did shepherd the tzon haharegah (the flock marked for slaughter), even aniyei hatzon (the poor of the flock). And I took unto me two maklot (staffs); the one I called No’am (gracious care), and the other I called Chovelim (bindings [of union, cf.11:14]); and I did shepherd the tzon (flock).

⁸ Shloshet haro’im (three of the shepherds) also I disposed of in one month; and my nefesh wearied of them, and their nefesh also abhorred me.

⁹ Then said I, I will not shepherd you; that which dieth, let it die; and that which is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let those that are left eat every one the basar of another.

¹⁰ And I took my staff, even No’am, and I broke it asunder, breaking off my Brit (covenant) which I had made with kol ha’amim (all the peoples).

¹¹ And it was broken on that day; and so the aniyei hatzon (poor of the flock), who were the shomrim giving heed to me, perceived that this was the Devar Hashem.

¹² And I said unto them, If ye think tov, give me my sachar (price); and if not, refrain. So they weighed out for my sachar (price) shloshim kesef (thirty pieces of silver).

¹³ And Hashem said unto me, Throw it unto the yotzer (potter); the magnificent price that I was priced of them. So I took the shloshim hakesef, and threw them to the yotzer (potter) in the Beis Hashem. [Shemot 21:32; Mt 26:14-15; 27:3-10; Ac 1:18-19]

¹⁴ Then I broke my second staff, called Chovelim, breaking off the achavah (brotherhood) between Yehudah and Yisroel.

¹⁵ And Hashem said unto me, Take unto thee yet the keli (implements) of a foolish ro’eh (shepherd).

¹⁶ For, hinei, I will raise up a ro’eh in ha’aretz, which shall not care for the dying, nor look for the na’ar (young one), nor heal that which is injured, nor feed the healthy; but he shall eat the basar of the choice, and tear off their hooves.

¹⁷ Hoy (woe) to the worthless ro’eh (shepherd) that deserteth the tzon! May the cherev (sword) be upon his zero’a (arm), and upon his right eye; let his zero’a wither away, and his right eye be utterly extinguished.

12 The burden of the Devar Hashem concerning Yisroel, saith Hashem, who stretcheth forth Shomayim, and layeth the yesod aretz, and formeth the ruach adam within him.

² Hinei, I will make Yerushalayim a cup of reeling unto kol ha’amim (all the peoples) round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Yehudah and against Yerushalayim.

³ And on Yom HaHu will I make Yerushalayim an even ma’amasah (a burdensome stone) for kol ha’amim: all that burden themselves with it [i.e., try to lift it] shall be cut in pieces, though kol Goyei Ha’Aretz be gathered together against her.

⁴ In Yom HaHu, saith Hashem, I will strike every sus with panic, and his rider with madness; and I will open mine eyes upon the Bais Yehudah, and will strike every sus of the people with blindness.

⁵ And the Aluphei Yehudah (leaders of Yehudah) shall say in their lev, The yoshvei Yerushalayim are my strength in Hashem Tzva’os Eloheihem.

⁶ In Yom HaHu will I make the Aluphei Yehudah like a fire pot in the woods, and like a torch of eish in the omer (sheaves); and they shall devour kol haAm round about, on the right hand and on the left; and Yerushalayim shall be inhabited again in her own site, even in Yerushalayim.

⁷ Hashem also shall save the oholei Yehudah (tents of Yehudah) first, that the glory of the Bais Dovid and the glory of the inhabitants of Yerushalayim do not magnify themselves against Yehudah.

⁸ In Yom Hahu shall Hashem defend the inhabitants of Yerushalayim; and he that is feeble among them in Yom Hahu shall be like Dovid; and the Bais Dovid shall be like Elohim, like the Malach Hashem before them.

⁹ And it shall come to pass in Yom Hahu, that I will seek to destroy kol HaGoyim that attack Yerushalayim.

¹⁰ And I will pour upon the Bais Dovid, and upon the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, the Ruach (Spirit) of Chen (grace) and of Tachanunim (supplications for favor); and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced [dakar, "pierce through" cf. Yeshayah 53:5; Targum HaShivim Tehillim 22:17], and they shall mourn for Him (Moshiach) as one mourneth for his yachid (only son), and shall grieve in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his bechor (firstborn).

¹¹ In Yom Hahu shall there be a great mourning in Yerushalayim, as the mourning of Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

¹² And ha’aretz shall mourn, all mishpochot apart; the mishpachat Bais Dovid apart, and their wives apart; the mishpachat Bais Natan apart, and their wives apart; [Shmuel Bais 5:14]

¹³ The mishpachat Bais Levi apart, and their wives apart; the mishpachat Shimei apart, and their wives apart; [Bamidbar 3:17-18,21]

¹⁴ All the mishpochot that remain, all mishpochot apart, and their wives apart.

13 In Yom HaHu there shall be a makor (fountain [see Tehillim 36:10 (9)]) opened to the Bais Dovid and to the inhabitants of Yerushalayim for sin and for niddah (impurity, i.e., used figuratively but refers especially to untouchability of women during menstruation and other kinds of uncleanness).

² And in Yom HaHu it shall come to pass, saith Hashem Tzva’os, that I will cut off the shmot (names) of the atzabim (idols) out of ha’aretz, and they shall no more be remembered; and also I will cause the nevi’im and the ruach hatum’ah (unclean spirit) to pass from ha’aretz.

³ And it shall come to pass, that if any shall still prophesy, then his av and his em that bore him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest sheker b’Shem Hashem; and his av and his em that bore him shall thrust him through [dakar, 12:10] when he prophesieth.

⁴ And in Yom HaHu it shall come to pass, that the nevi’im shall be ashamed, every one of his chizzayon (vision, revelation), when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear an adderet se’ar (garment of hair, hairy mantle) to deceive;

⁵ But he shall say, I am no navi, I am an ish oved adamah (a man who works the soil); for land I owned from my youth.

⁶ And if one shall say unto him, What are these makkot (strokes, marks of strokes, scars, wounds) between thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the bais of my friends.

⁷ Awake, O Cherev (sword), against My Ro’eh (shepherd, i.e. Moshiach, see Isa 40:11; Ezek 34:23,24; 37:24), against the Gever (man) that is My Amit (fellow, intimate companion, associate), saith Hashem Tzva’os; strike the Ro’eh (shepherd), and the Tzon (sheep, flock) shall be scattered; and I will turn Mine hand upon the tzo’arim (little ones; see Zech 11:7; see Mt 26:31,56)

⁸ And it shall come to pass, that in kol ha’aretz, saith Hashem, two-thirds therein shall be cut off and die; but one-third shall remain therein.

⁹ And I will bring the onethird through the eish, and will refine them as kesef is refined, and will test them as zahav is tested; they shall call biShmi (on My Name), and I will hear them; I will say, This is My people; and they shall say, Hashem is Elohai.

14 Hinei, a day cometh for Hashem, when the plunder taken from thee shall among thee be divided.

² For I will gather kol HaGoyim against Yerushalayim for milchamah (battle, war); and HaIr (the city, Yerushalayim) shall be taken, and the batim (houses) plundered, and the women ravished; and half of HaIr shall go forth into the Golus (exile), and the rest of the people shall not be cut off from HaIr.

³ Then shall Hashem go forth, and fight against those Goyim, as He fights in the Yom Krav (day of battle).

⁴ And in Yom HaHu, His raglayim (feet; see Ac 1:11-12) shall stand upon the Mount of Olives, which is east of Yerushalayim, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a gey gedolah me’od (a very great valley), with half of the mountain moving to the north, and half of it to the south.

⁵ And ye shall flee to the gey (valley) in the mountains; for the gey (valley) of the harim (mountains) shall extend unto Atzel; yea, ye shall flee, just as ye fled from before the ra’ash (earthquake) in the days of Uziyah Melech Yehudah; and Hashem Elohai shall come, and kol Kadoshim (all the holy ones) with Thee [see Daniel 7:13-14].

⁶ And it shall come to pass in Yom HaHu, that there shall no longer be cold or frost:

⁷ But it shall be Yom Echad, known to Hashem, with no Yom, nor Lailah; but it shall come to pass, that at erev it shall be ohr.

⁸ And it shall be in Yom HaHu, that mayim chayyim (living waters) shall go out from Yerushalayim; half toward the eastern sea [i.e., Dead Sea], and half toward the western sea [i.e., Mediterranean Sea]; in kayitz (summer) and in khoref (winter) shall it be.

⁹ And Hashem shall be Melech Al Kol HaAretz (King over all the earth); in Yom HaHu (in that day) shall Hashem be echad, and Shmo Echad.

¹⁰ And kol ha’aretz shall be made like the Aravah from Geva to Rimmon in the Negev. Yerushalayim shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Sha’ar Binyamin unto the place of the Sha’ar Harishon (the first gate), unto the Corner Gate; and from the Migdal Chanan’el unto the king’s wine presses.

¹¹ And men shall inhabit her, and there shall be no more cherem (utter destruction, holy war); but Yerushalayim shall be inhabited labetach (in confidence, security).

¹² And this shall be the magefah (plague [produced by Hashem]) wherewith Hashem will strike kol ha’amim (all the peoples) that have fought against Yerushalayim; their basar shall rot while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall rot in their sockets, and their tongue shall rot in their mouth.

¹³ And in Yom HaHu it shall come to pass, that there shall be among them a mehumat Hashem (a panic from Hashem), and they shall seize every one the hand of his neighbor, and the hand of each shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor.

¹⁴ And Yehudah also shall fight at Yerushalayim; and the wealth of kol HaGoyim round about shall be gathered together, zahav, and kesef, and apparel, in great abundance.

¹⁵ And so shall be the magefat hasus (plague on the horse), on the mule, on the camel, and on the donkey, and on all the beasts that shall be in those camps, like this magefah (plague).

¹⁶ And it shall come to pass, that all who are left of kol HaGoyim which came against Yerushalayim shall even go up from year to year to worship HaMelech, Hashem Tzva’os, and to keep Chag HaSukkot.

¹⁷ And it shall be, that whosoever will not make this aliyah from the mishpekhot ha’aretz unto Yerushalayim to worship HaMelech, Hashem Tzva’os, even upon them shall be no geshem (rain).

¹⁸ And if the mishpakhat Mitzrayim go not up, and come not, upon them shall fall the magefah (plague) wherewith Hashem will strike the Goyim that come not up to keep Chag HaSukkot.

¹⁹ This shall be the punishment of Mitzrayim, and the punishment of kol HaGoyim that come not up to keep Chag HaSukkot.

²⁰ In Yom HaHu shall there be upon the metzillot (bells) of the susim, KODESH L’HASHEM; and the sirot (cooking pots) in the Beis Hashem shall be like the mizrakim (libation bowls) before the mizbe’ach.

²¹ Yea, every siyr (pot) in Yerushalayim and in Yehudah shall be KODESH L’HASHEM TZVA’OS: and all the zovechim (the ones sacrificing) shall come and take of them, and they shall cook in them; and in Yom HaHu there shall be no more Kena’ani (Canaanite, merchant; see Mt 21:12-13; Mk 11:15-18]) in the Beis Hashem Tzva’os.

1 The burden of the Devar Hashem to Yisroel by Malachi.

² I have loved you, saith Hashem. Yet ye say, Wherein hast Thou loved us? Was not Esav Ya’akov’s brother? saith Hashem; yet I loved Ya’akov,

³ But I hated Esav, and his mountains and his nachalah I laid waste into wasteland for the jackals of the midbar.

⁴ Whereas Edom saith, We are dashed to pieces, but we will return and rebuild the ruins; thus saith Hashem Tzva’os: They may build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, Gevul Rishah (territory of wickedness), and the people against whom Hashem hath indignation ad olam (for ever).

⁵ And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, Hashem is gadol (great) even beyond the Gevul Yisroel.

⁶ A ben honoreth his av, and an eved his adon; if then I be an Av, where is Mine honor? And if I be Adonim, where is My reverence? saith Hashem Tzva’os unto you, O kohanim, that despise My Name. But ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy name?

⁷ Ye offer lechem mego’al (defiled food) upon Mine mizbe’ach; and ye say, Wherein have we defiled Thee? In that ye say, The shulchan of Hashem is to be despised.

⁸ And when ye offer the blind animal for sacrifice, is it not rah? And when ye offer the lame and diseased, is it not rah? Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or receive thee? saith Hashem Tzva’os.

⁹ And now, I pray you, beseech G-d that He will be gracious unto us; with such offerings from your hand, will He receive you? saith Hashem Tzva’os.

¹⁰ Who is there even among you that would shut the dlatayim of the Beis Hamikdash so that eish would not be kindled on Mine mizbe’ach in vain? There is no chefetz (pleasure) to Me with you, saith Hashem Tzva’os, neither will I accept a minchah at your hand.

¹¹ For from the rising of the shemesh even unto the going down of the same My name shall be gadol among the Goyim; and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a minchah tehorah; for My name shall be gadol among the Goyim, saith Hashem Tzva’os.

¹² But ye have committed chillul Hashem (desecration of the Name), in that ye say, The shulchan Adonoi is mego’al (defiled); and the fruit, even the food thereof, is contemptible.

¹³ Ye said also, Hinei, what a burden it is! And ye have sniffed scornfully at it, saith Hashem Tzva’os; and ye brought that which was injured, and the lame, and the diseased; thus ye brought a minchah; should I accept this of your hand? saith Hashem.

¹⁴ But cursed be the nokhel (cheat, swindler, charlatan), which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto Hashem the one being blemished; for I am a Melech Gadol, saith Hashem Tzva’os, and My name is to be feared among the Goyim.

2 And now, O ye kohanim, this mitzvah is for you.

² If ye will not hear, and if ye will not take it to lev, to give kavod unto My name, saith Hashem Tzva’os, I will even send a me’erah (curse) upon you, and I will curse your brakhot; yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not take it to lev.

³ Hineni, I am rebuking your zera, and I will spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your chagim; and it will take you away with it.

⁴ And ye shall have da’as that I have sent this mitzvah unto you, that My brit might continue with Levi, saith Hashem Tzva’os.

⁵ My brit was with him of chayyim and shalom; and I gave them to him that he might fear Me; so he feared Me, and stood in reverence before My name.

⁶ Torat emes was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found on his lips: he walked with Me in shalom and yashrus, and did turn rabbim (many) away from avon (iniquity).

⁷ For the kohen’s lips should preserve da’as, and they should seek torah at his mouth: for he is the malach Hashem Tzva’os.

⁸ But ye are departed out of HaDerech; ye have caused rabbim to fall into a michshol (stumbling block) at the torah (teaching); ye have corrupted the Brit of Levi saith Hashem Tzva’os.

⁹ Therefore have I also made you contemptible and shefalim before kol HaAm because ye have not been shomrim of darkhei of Me, but have shown partiality in torah.

¹⁰ Have we not all Av Echad? Hath not El Echad created us? Why do we commit chillul Brit Avoteinu by every man breaking faith with his brother?

¹¹ Yehudah hath broken faith, and a toeva (abomination) is committed in Yisroel and in Yerushalayim; for Yehudah hath committed chillul against the Beis Hamikdash Hashem loves, by marrying the bat el nekhar.

¹² May Hashem cut off the man that doeth this, [offspring] awake and answering, from the ohalim of Ya’akov, that offereth a minchah unto Hashem Tzva’os.

¹³ And this too have ye done, covering the mizbe’ach of Hashem with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, because that He regardeth not the minchah any more, nor receiveth it with ratzon (good will) at your hand.

¹⁴ Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because Hashem hath been ed (witness) between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, breaking faith: yet is she thy chaveret, and the wife of thy brit.

¹⁵ And did not Hashem make echad? And the remnant of the ruach is Hashem’s. And why echad? That He might seek zera Elohim. Therefore be shomer of your ruach, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

¹⁶ For Hashem Elohei Yisroel saith that He hateth putting away: for it covereth one’s garment with chamas (violence), saith the Hashem Tzva’os: therefore, be shomer of your ruach, that ye deal not treacherously, breaking faith.

¹⁷ Ye have wearied Hashem with your devarim. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied Him? When ye say, Everyone that doeth rah is tov in the sight of Hashem, and in them Hashem finds chafetz; or, Where is Elohei HaMishpat?

3 Hineni, I will send malachi, and he shall prepare the Derech before me: and HaAdon (the L-rd [Moshiach] Zech 4:14), whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His Heikhal, even the Malach HaBrit, in whom ye have chafetz (delight): hinei, He is coming, saith Hashem Tzva’os.

² But who may abide the Yom Bo’o (day of His coming)? Who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s eish, and like fullers’ soap:

³ And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of kesef; and He shall purify the Bnei Levi, and purge them as zahav and kesef, that they may offer unto Hashem an offering in tzedakah.

⁴ Then shall the offering of Yehudah and Yerushalayim be pleasing unto Hashem, as in the yamei olam (days of old), and as in shanim kadmoniyyot (former years).

⁵ And I will come near to you for mishpat; and I will be a swift ed (witness) against the mekhashfim (sorcerers), and against the mena’afim (adulterers), and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the almanah (widow), and the fatherless, and that turn aside the ger from his right, and fear not Me, saith Hashem Tzva’os.

⁶ For I am Hashem, I change not; therefore ye Bnei Ya’akov are not consumed.

⁷ Even from the yamei avoteichem ye are gone away from Mine chukkim, and have not been shomer over them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith Hashem Tzva’os. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

⁸ Will a man rob G-d? Yet ye have robbed Me [Ex 20:15]. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In ma’aser (tithes) and terumah (offerings, contributions).

⁹ Ye are cursed with a me’erah (curse); for ye have robbed Me, even this whole Goy (nation).

¹⁰ Bring ye kol hama’aser (all the tithes) into the Beis HaOtzar (House of the Treasury), that there may be teref (food) in Mine Beis [Hamikdash], and prove Me now herewith, saith Hashem Tzva’os, if I will not open you the windows of Shomayim, and pour you out a brocha, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

¹¹ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the p’ri ha’adamah; neither shall your gefen cast her fruit before the time in the sadeh, saith Hashem Tzva’os.

¹² And kol HaGoyim shall call you blessed; for ye shall be an Eretz Chefetz, saith Hashem Tzva’os.

¹³ Your devarim have been harsh against Me, saith Hashem. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against Thee?

¹⁴ Ye have said, Avod Elohim is vain; and what profit is it that we have been shomer over His mishmeret, and that we have walked as mourners before Hashem Tzva’os?

¹⁵ And now we call the zedim (proud) happy; yea, they that work rishah (wickedness) are set up; yea, they that tempt Elohim even go free.

¹⁶ Then they that feared Hashem spoke often one to another; and Hashem paid heed, and heard it, and a Sefer Zikaron (book of remembrance) was written before Him for them that feared Hashem, and that meditated upon Shmo (His Name).

¹⁷ And they shall be Mine, saith Hashem Tzva’os, in that Yom when I make up My segullah (special treasure, possession); and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own ben haoved oto (son that serveth him).

¹⁸ Then shall ye return, and discern between the tzaddik and the rasha, between oved Elohim (him that serveth G-d) and him that serveth Him not.

4 ^(3:19) For, hinei, HaYom bah (the day cometh), that shall burn as an oven; and kol zedim (all the proud), yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and HaYom that cometh shall burn them up, saith Hashem Tzva’os, that it shall leave them neither shoresh (root) nor anaf (branch).

^2 (3:20) But unto you that fear My name shall the Shemesh Tzedakah (sun of righteousness) arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

^3 (3:21) And ye shall trample down the resha’im; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in HaYom that I shall do this, saith Hashem Tzva’os.

^4 (3:22) Remember ye the Torat Moshe Avdi, which I commanded unto him in Chorev for kol Yisroel, with the chukkim (statutes) and mishpatim (judgments).

^5 (3:23) Hinei, I will send you Eliyahu HaNavi before the coming of the great and dreadful Yom Hashem;

^6 (3:24) And he shall turn the lev-avot to the banim, and the lev-banim to their avot, lest I come and strike the earth with cherem.

1 Blessed is the ish that walketh not in the Etzah (counsel, scheme) of the Resha’im, nor standeth in the Derech Chatta’im, nor sitteth in the Moshav (seat) of the Leitzim (scornful, ones mocking and reviling).

² But his delight is in the Torat Hashem; and in His torah doth he meditate yomam v’lailah.

³ And he shall be like an etz planted by the streams of mayim, that bringeth forth its p’ri in its season; the leaf thereof also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

⁴ The Resha’im are not so, but are like the chaff which the ruach driveth away.

⁵ Therefore the Resha’im shall not stand in the Mishpat, nor Chatta’im (sinners) in the Adat Tzaddikim.

⁶ For Hashem knoweth the Derech Tzaddikim, but the Derech Resha’im shall perish. T.N. The next Psalm says that the whole world, all the earth, is, or will be, the possession of Moshiach, and that Hashem assures Moshiach of this; therefore, the Great Commission (Mt 28:19-20) was given to preach Moshiach to the ends of the earth that the whole world may hear.

2 Why do the Goyim rage, and the Amim (peoples) imagine a vain thing?

² The Malchei Eretz rise up in rebellion, and the rulers take counsel together against Hashem and against His Moshiach, saying,

³ Let us break their chains asunder, and cast away their fetters from us.

⁴ He that sitteth enthroned in Shomayim laughs; Adonoi hath them in derision.

⁵ Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and distress them in His hot displeasure.

⁶ I have set Malki (My King) upon Tziyon, My Har Kodesh.

⁷ I will declare the chok (decree): Hashem hath said unto me, Thou art Beni (My Son, i.e. Ben HaElohim Moshiach); HaYom (today) I have begotten thee.

⁸ Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the Goyim for thine nachalah, and the uttermost parts of ha’aretz for thy possession.

⁹ Thou shalt rule them with a shevet barzel; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

¹⁰ Have seichel now therefore, O ye Melachim; be warned, ye Shoftei Aretz.

¹¹ Serve Hashem with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

¹² Kiss the Bar (Ben, Son, [see Hebrew Mishlei 31:2; Ben HaElohim Moshiach; see 2:2,7, above]), lest he be angry, and ye perish from the Derech, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Ashrei are all they that take refuge in him [Moshiach].

3 (A psalm of Dovid, when he fled from Avshalom bno) Hashem, how are they increased that are my foes! Many are they that rise up against me.

^2 (3) Many there be which say of my nefesh, There is no yeshuah for him in Elohim. Selah.

^3 (4) But Thou, Hashem, art a mogen around me; my kavod, and the One who lifts up mine head.

^4 (5) I cried unto Hashem with my voice, and He heard me out of His Har Kodesh. Selah.

^5 (6) I laid me down and slept; I awaked, for Hashem sustains me.

^6 (7) I will not be afraid of ten thousands of am (people), that have set themselves against me round about.

^7 (8) Arise, Hashem; hoshieini (save me), O Elohai; for Thou hast struck all mine enemies upon the cheekbone; Thou hast broken the teeth of the resha’im.

^8 (9) HaYeshuah (salvation) belongeth unto Hashem; the Birkhat (blessing) of Thee is upon Thy people. Selah.

4 (For the one directing. With stringed instruments. Mizmor Dovid.) Hear me when I call, Elohei tzidki (O G-d of my righteousness); Thou hast relieved me when I was in distress; channeini, and hear my tefillah.

² O ye Bnei Ish, how long will ye turn my kavod into shame? How long will ye love delusion, and seek kazav (lie, falsehood)? Selah.

³ But know that Hashem hath set apart the chasid for Himself; Hashem will hear when I call unto Him.

⁴ Be angry, yet sin not; commune with your own levav upon your mishkav, and be still. Selah.

⁵ Offer the zivkhei-tzedek, and put your trust in Hashem.

⁶ There be many that say, Who will show us any tov? Hashem, lift Thou up the ohr of Thy countenance upon us.

⁷ Thou hast put simcha in my lev, more than in the time that their dagan and their tirosh increased.

⁸ In shalom I will both lay me down, and sleep, for Thou alone, Hashem, makest me dwell in safety.

5 (For the one directing. For the flutes. Mizmor Dovid) Give ear to my words, Hashem, consider my meditation.

^2 (3) Pay heed unto the voice of my cry, Malki v’Elohai; for unto Thee will I daven.

^3 (4) My voice shalt Thou hear in the boker, Hashem; in the boker will I bring my prayer before Thee as a spiritual sacrifice and wait for an answer.

^4 (5) For Thou art not El that hath pleasure in resha; neither shall rah dwell with Thee.

^5 (6) The holelim (arrogant) shall not stand in Thy sight; Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

^6 (7) Thou shalt destroy them that speak kazav (falsehood); Hashem will abhor the ish damim u’mirmah (bloody and deceitful man).

^7 (8) But as for me, I will come into Thy Bais in the multitude of Thy chesed; and in Thy fear will I bow down toward Thy Heikhal Kodesh.

^8 (9) Lead me, Hashem, in Thy tzedakah because of mine enemies; make Thy Derech straight before my face.

^9 (10) For there is nothing trustworthy in their mouth; their inwardness is a corruptible abyss; their throat is an open kever; they speak smooth deceit with their leshon.

^10 (11) Punish them, Elohim; let them fall by their own intrigues; in the multitude of their peysha’im cast them out; for they have rebelled against Thee.

^11 (12) But let all those that take refuge in Thee rejoice; let them shout for joy l’olam, and spread Thou protection over them that they be joyful in Thee, who love Shemecha (Thy Name).

^12 (13) For Thou, Hashem, wilt bless the Tzaddik; with ratzon (favor) wilt Thou encompass him as with a tzinnah (large rectangular shield).

6 (For the one directing. With stringed instruments. Al HaSheminit. Mizmor Dovid) Hashem, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure.

^2 (3) Have mercy upon me, Hashem; for I am weak: Hashem, heal me; for my atzmot are shaking.

^3 (4) My nefesh is also much shaken; but Thou, Hashem, ad mosai (how much longer)?

^4 (5) Turn, Hashem, deliver my nefesh; hoshieini (save me) for the sake of Thy chesed.

^5 (6) For in mavet there is no remembrance of Thee; in Sheol who shall give Thee thanks?

^6 (7) I am weary with my groaning; all the lailah flood I my mittah with weeping; I water my couch with my tears.

^7 (8) Mine eye is consumed because of ka’as (grief); it groweth old because of all mine enemies.

^8 (9) Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for Hashem hath heard the voice of my weeping.

^9 (10) Hashem hath heard my techinnah (supplication); Hashem will receive my tefillah (prayer).

^10 (11) Let all mine oyevim be ashamed and much troubled; let them turn back and suddenly be ashamed.

7 (Shiggayon of Dovid, which he sang unto Hashem, regarding Kush of Binyamin) Hashem Elohai, in Thee do I seek refuge; hoshieini (save me) from all them that persecute me, and deliver me;

^2 (3) Lest he tear my nefesh like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to rescue.

^3 (4) Hashem Elohai, if I have done this; if there be guilt in my hands;

^4 (5) If I have recompensed with evil him that held out shalom unto me; or, without cause plundered my opposers,

^5 (6) Then let the enemy persecute my nefesh, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life to the earth, and lay mine kavod to sleep in the dust. Selah.

^6 (7) Arise, Hashem, in Thine anger, lift up Thyself because of the rage of mine enemies; awake, o my El, to the mishpat Thou hast decreed.

^7 (8) So let the Adat l’Umim surround Thee; and over it return Thou on high [to judge].

^8 (9) Hashem shall judge the people; judge me, Hashem, according to my tzedek, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

^9 (10) Oh let the wickedness of the resha’im come to an end; but make the tzaddik secure; for the Elohim Tzaddik trieth the minds and hearts.

^10 (11) My mogen (shield) is Elohim, Moshi’a of the upright in heart.

^11 (12) Elohim is a Shofet Tzaddik, and El expresses wrath kol yom.

^12 (13) If He relent not, He will sharpen His cherev; He hath bent His keshet (bow) and made it ready.

^13 (14) He hath also prepared for Him the instruments of mavet; He ordaineth His flaming khitzim (arrows).

^14 (15) Hinei, he [an evil person] travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived trouble, and brought forth falsehood.

^15 (16) He makes a pit, and digs it, and is fallen into the shachat (pit) which he made.

^16 (17) His trouble shall return upon his own rosh, and his chamas shall come down upon his own kodkod (crown of the head).

^17 (18) I will give thanks to Hashem according to His tzedek; and will sing praise to the Shem of Hashem Elyon.

8 (For the one directing. According to the gittit. Mizmor of Dovid). Hashem Adoneinu, how excellent is Shimecha in kol ha’aretz Who hast set Thy glory above HaShomayim.

^2 (3) Out of the mouth of olelim and infants hast Thou established strength because of Thine enemies, that Thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

^3 (4) When I consider Thy heavens, the ma’asim of Thy fingers, the yarei’ach and the kokhavim, which Thou hast ordained;

^4 (5) What is enosh (mankind), that Thou art mindful of him? And the ben adam, that Thou visitest him?

^5 (6) For Thou hast made him a little lower than elohim [or Elohim, Gn 1:27], and hast crowned him with kavod and hadar.

^6 (7) Thou madest him to have dominion over the ma’asim of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet:

^7 (8) All sheep and oxen, yea, and the behemot sadeh;

^8 (9) The fowl of the air, and the dag (fish) of the yam, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

^9 (10) Hashem Adoneinu, how excellent is Shimecha in kol ha’aretz!

9 (For the one directing. To The Death of the Son. Mizmor of Dovid) I will give thanks to Thee, Hashem, with kol lev of me; I will show forth all Thy marvellous works.

^2 (3) I will be glad and rejoice in Thee; I will sing praise to Thy Shem, O Thou Elyon.

^3 (4) When mine oyevim are turned back, they shall fall and perish at Thy presence.

^4 (5) For Thou hast maintained my mishpat and my cause; Thou as Shofet Tzedek dost sit on the kisse.

^5 (6) Thou hast rebuked the Goyim, Thou hast destroyed the wicked, Thou hast blotted out their shem l’olam va’ed.

^6 (7) Choravot lanetzach (endless ruins) have come to the enemy: and Thou hast rooted out cities; their memory is perished with them.

^7 (8) But Hashem shall reign l’olam; He hath established His kisse (throne) for mishpat.

^8 (9) And He shall judge the tevel (world) in tzedek, He shall govern the nations with justice.

^9 (10) Hashem also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of tzoros.

^10 (11) And they that know Shemecha will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, Hashem, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.

^11 (12) Sing praises to Hashem, enthroned in Tziyon; declare among the nations His deeds.

^12 (13) When He avenges [shefach] dahm, He remembereth them; He forgetteth not the cry of the aniyim (humble, afflicted, the helpless ones).

^13 (14) Have mercy upon me, Hashem; consider my sufferings which I suffer of them that hate me, Thou that liftest me up from the sha’arei mavet (gates of death);

^14 (15) That I may show forth all Thy praise in the Sha’arei Bat Tziyon. I will rejoice in Thy Yeshuah (salvation).

^15 (16) The Goyim are sunk down in the shachat (pit) that they dug; in the reshet (net) which they hid is their own foot caught.

^16 (17) Hashem is known by the mishpat which He executeth; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgayon. Selah.

^17 (18) The resha’im shall be turned into Sheol, and all the Goyim that forget Elohim.

^18 (19) For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the tikveh of the poor shall not perish forever.

^19 (20) Arise, Hashem; let not enosh (mankind) prevail; let the Goyim be judged in Thy sight.

^20 (21) Put them in terror, Hashem; that the Goyim may know themselves to be but enosh. Selah.

10 Why standest Thou afar off, Hashem? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of tzoros?

² The reshah in his ga’avah (haughtiness) doth persecute the ani (poor, see Zech 9:9 where ani is Moshiach); let them be caught in the devices that they have schemed.

³ For the reshah boasteth of his ta’avat nefesh (soul’s lust), and blesseth the covetous, whom Hashem abhorreth.

⁴ The reshah, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after Him; Elohim is not in all his thoughts.

⁵ His ways are always prosperous; Thy mishpatim are on high, out of his sight; as for all his enemies, he sneers at them.

⁶ He hath said in his lev, I shall not be shaken; throughout all generations I shall never be in trouble.

⁷ His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud; under his leshon (tongue) is trouble and iniquity.

⁸ He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages; in the places for ambush doth he murder the naki (innocent); his eyes are secretly set against the poor.

⁹ He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den; he lieth in wait to catch the poor; he doth catch the poor when he draweth him into his reshet.

¹⁰ He crouches, and stoops, that the poor may fall by his atzum (might).

¹¹ He hath said in his lev, El hath forgotten; He hideth his face; He will never see it.

¹² Arise, Hashem; O El, lift up Thine yad; forget not the aniyim.

¹³ For why doth the reshah renounce Elohim? He hath said in his lev, Thou wilt not call me to account.

¹⁴ Thou hast seen it; for Thou beholdest trouble and ka’as (grief), to requite it with Thy yad; the helpless committeth himself unto Thee; Thou art the Ozer (helper) of the yatom (orphan).

¹⁵ Break Thou the zero’a of the reshah and the evil man; call to account his wickedness that would not be found out.

¹⁶ Hashem is Melech olam va’ed; the Goyim are perished out of His land.

¹⁷ Hashem, Thou hast heard the desire of the aniyim; Thou wilt strengthen their lev, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hear;

¹⁸ To judge the yatom (orphan) and the oppressed, that enosh of the earth may no more strike terror.

11 (For the one directing. Of Dovid.) In Hashem do I take refuge; how say ye to my nefesh, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

² For, hinei, the resha’im bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may secretly shoot at the yishrei lev (upright in heart).

³ If the foundations be destroyed, what can the tzaddik do?

⁴ Hashem is in His Heikhal Kodesh, Hashem’s kisse is in Shomayim; His eyes examine, His eyelids try, Bnei Adam.

⁵ Hashem trieth the tzaddik, but the resha’im and him that loveth chamas (violence) His Nefesh hateth.

⁶ Upon the resha’im He shall rain snares, eish and gofrit, and a burning wind; this shall be the portion of their kos (cup).

⁷ For Hashem is tzaddik (righteous), Hashem loveth tzedakot; His countenance doth behold the yashar (upright).

12 (For the one directing. According to the Sheminit. Mizmor Dovid) Help, Hashem; for the chasid is no more; for the emunim (faithful ones) vanish from among Bnei Adam.

^2 (3) They speak vanity every one with his re’a (neighbor); with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

^3 (4) Hashem shall cut off all flattering lips, and the leshon that speaketh gedolot;

^4 (5) Who have said, With leshoneinu (our tongue) will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is Adon over us?

^5 (6) For the oppression of the aniyim, for the groaning of the needy, now will I arise, saith Hashem; I will set him in safety from him that sneers at him.

^6 (7) The words of Hashem are amarot tehorot (pure words); as kesef refined in the furnace on the earth, purified seven times.

^7 (8) Thou shalt be shomer over them, Hashem, Thou shalt preserve him [see 5(6)] from this generation forever.

^8 (9) The resha’im strut on every side, when the vilest among the Bnei Adam are exalted.

13 (For the one directing. Mizmor Dovid) How long wilt Thou forget me, Hashem? Netzach (forever?) How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?

^2 (3) How long shall I take counsel in my nefesh, having sorrow in my lev daily? How long shall mine oyev be exalted over me?

^3 (4) Consider and hear me, Hashem Elohai; enlighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of mavet;

^4 (5) Lest mine oyev say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am defeated.

^5 (6) But I have trusted in Thy chesed; my lev shall rejoice in Thy Yeshuah (salvation).

⁶ I will sing unto Hashem, because He hath dealt bountifully with me.

14 (For the one directing. Of Dovid) The naval (fool) hath said in his lev, There is no Elohim. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, ein oseh tov (there is none that doeth good).

² Hashem looked down from Shomayim upon Bnei Adam, to see if there is any with seichel, that seeketh Elohim.

³ They are all turned aside, they are all together become corrupt; there is none that doeth tov, no, not one.

⁴ Have all the workers of iniquity no da’as? Who eat up my people as they eat lechem, and call not upon Hashem.

⁵ There they shall be in great dread, for Elohim is with the dor tzaddik.

⁶ Would ye confound the etzah (counsel, plan) of the oni (poor), for Hashem is indeed his refuge!

⁷ Oh that the Yeshuah (salvation) of Yisroel were come out of Tziyon! When Hashem turns misfortune and brings back the captives of His people, Ya’akov shall rejoice, and Yisroel shall be glad.

15 (Mizmor Dovid) Hashem, who shall abide in Thy Ohel? Who shall dwell in Thy Har Kodesh?

² He that walketh blamelessly, and worketh tzedek, and speaketh emes from his lev.

³ He that backbiteth not with his leshon, nor doeth ra’ah to his re’a, nor taketh up a slur to discredit his neighbor.

⁴ In whose eyes a vile person is despicable; but he honoreth them that fear Hashem. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

⁵ He that putteth not out his kesef to neshekh (usury), nor taketh bribes against the naki (innocent). He that doeth these things shall never be shaken.

16 (A mikhtam Dovid). Be shomer over me, O El: for in Thee do I hide myself.

² I said unto Hashem, Thou art Adonoi of me; besides Thee I have no good;

³ But to the Kedoshim that are in ha’aretz, they are the glorious ones, in whom is all my delight.

⁴ Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after other g-ds; their nesakhim (drink offerings) of dahm will I not offer, nor take up their shmot (names [of idols]) on my lips.

⁵ Hashem is the chelek (allotted share) of mine inheritance and of my kos (cup [of blessing]); Thou maintainest my goral (lot, allotment by the divine will).

⁶ The boundary lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly nachalah (inheritance).

⁷ I will bless Hashem, Who hath given me counsel; my mind also instructs me in the night seasons.

⁸ I have set Hashem always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my lev is glad, and my kavod rejoiceth; my basar also shall dwell securely [see 1Th 5:23 OJBC].

¹⁰ For Thou wilt not abandon my nefesh in Sheol; neither wilt Thou allow Thine Chasid to see shachat (corruption, the pit, the grave, the abyss of corruption; see Ac 2:24).

¹¹ Thou wilt show me the Orach Chayyim (the path of life); in Thy presence is fulness of joy, at Thy right hand there are pleasures netzach (for evermore).

17 (Tefillah of Dovid) Hear the tzedek (righteous plea of a just cause), Hashem, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my tefillah, that goeth not out of lips of mirmah (deceit).

² Let my mishpat (right) come forth from Thy presence; let Thine eyes behold the things that are right.

³ Thou hast probed mine lev; Thou hast visited me in the lailah; Thou hast tested me and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

⁴ Concerning the works of men, by the Devar of Thy lips I have kept myself from the paths of the cruel.

⁵ Uphold my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps stumble not.

⁶ I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me, O El; incline Thine ear unto me, and hear my prayer.

⁷ Show Thy marvellous chesed, O Thou Moshi’a Who saves by Thy right hand them which put their trust in Thee from those that rise up against them.

⁸ Be shomer over me as the apple of Thy eye; hide me in the shadow of Thy wings,

⁹ From the resha’im that oppress me, from my deadly enemies threatening my nefesh, who surround me.

¹⁰ They have closed up callously and mercilessly against me; with their mouth they speak with ge’ut (pride).

¹¹ At every step they have surrounded me; their purpose is to strike down to ha’aretz;

¹² Like aryeh eager to tear his prey, and like a young lion lurking in ambush.

¹³ Arise, Hashem, confront him, cast him down; deliver my nefesh from the resha with Thy cherev;

¹⁴ From men with Thy yad, Hashem, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life, and with Thy treasures Thou fillest their belly; they are satisfied with children, and leave their abundance to their babes.

¹⁵ As for me, in tzedek I will behold Thy face; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy temunah (form; see Num 12:8).

18 (For the one directing. Of Dovid Eved Hashem who sang to Hashem the lyrics of this shirah on the day Hashem delivered him from the hand of all his oyevim and from the hand of Sha’ul; and he said) I will love Thee, Hashem, my strength.

^2 (3) Hashem is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; Eli my Tzur (rock), in whom I take refuge; my mogen, and the keren of my salvation, and my misgav (high place as a refuge).

^3 (4) I will call upon Hashem, Who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from mine oyevim.

^4 (5) The chevlei mavet entangled me, and the floods of Beliya’al terrorized me.

^5 (6) The chevlei Sheol snaked around me; the snares of mavet confronted me.

^6 (7) In my distress I called upon Hashem, and cried unto Elohai; He heard my voice out of His Heikhal, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears.

^7 (8) Ha’aretz shook and trembled; the foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because He was angry.

^8 (9) Smoke went up from His nostrils, and eish out of His mouth devoured; coals were kindled by it.

^9 (10) He parted Shomayim, and descended, and dark clouds were under His feet.

^10 (11) And He rode upon a keruv (cherub), and did fly; yea, He soared upon the wings of the ruach.

^11 (12) He made choshech His secret place; His sukkah round about Him was dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

^12 (13) Out of the brightness that was before Him there broke through barad (hailstones) and coals of eish out of His clouds.

^13 (14) Hashem also thundered in Shomayim, and Elyon gave His voice amid barad and coals of eish.

^14 (15) Yea, He sent out His khitzim (arrows), and scattered them; and He shot out great lightning bolts, and did put them to rout.

^15 (16) Then the channels of waters were exposed, and the foundations of the tevel (world) were laid bare at Thy rebuke, Hashem, at the blast of the ruach of Thy nostrils.

^16 (17) He sent from on high, He took hold of me, He drew me out of mayim rabbim (many waters).

^17 (18) He delivered me from my strong oyev, and from them which hated me; for they were too strong for me.

^18 (19) They confronted me in the day of my calamity; but Hashem was my stay.

^19 (20) He brought me forth also into a place merkhav (spacious); He delivered me, because He delighted in me.

^20 (21) Hashem dealt with me according to my tzedek; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me.

^21 (22) For I have been shomer regarding the Darkhei Hashem, and have not wickedly departed from Elohai.

^22 (23) For all His mishpatim were before me, and I did not put away His chukkot from me.

^23 (24) I was also tamim (blameless) before Him, and I kept myself from mine avon.

^24 (25) Therefore hath Hashem recompensed me according to my tzedek, according to the cleanness of my hands before His eyes.

^25 (26) With the chasid Thou wilt show Thyself chesed; with a perfect man Thou wilt show Thyself perfect;

^26 (27) With the pure Thou wilt show Thyself pure; and with the ikesh (crooked, perverted, false) Thou wilt show Thyself shrewd.

^27 (28) For Thou wilt save the ani (poor); but wilt bring down low haughty looks.

^28 (29) For Thou wilt light my ner; Hashem Elohai will enlighten my choshech.

^29 (30) For by Thee have I scattered a troop; and by Elohai have I leaped over a wall.

^30 (31) As for El, His derech is tamim (perfect); the word of Hashem is tzerufah (tested and proved flawless, inerrant); He is a mogen to all those that take refuge in Him.

^31 (32) For who is Elohim besides Hashem? Or who is Tzur but Eloheinu?

^32 (33) It is El that armeth me with chayil, and maketh my derech tamim (perfect).

^33 (34) He maketh my raglayim like deer feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

^34 (35) He traineth my hands for milchamah, so that a keshet-nechushah mine arms can bend.

^35 (36) Thou hast also given me the mogen of Thy salvation; and Thy right hand hath held me up, and Thy lowliness hath made me great.

^36 (37) Thou hast made rakhav (broad) the place for my footsteps under me, that my ankles did not turn.

^37 (38) I have pursued mine oyevim, and overtaken them; neither did I turn back till they were consumed.

^38 (39) I have crushed them that they were not able to rise; they are fallen under my raglayim.

^39 (40) For Thou hast armed me with chayil unto the milchamah; Thou hast made bow down under me those that rose up against me.

^40 (41) Thou hast also given me the necks of mine oyevim; that I might destroy them that hate me.

^41 (42) They cried for help, but there was no Moshi’a to save them, even unto Hashem, but He answered them not.

^42 (43) Then did I beat them small as the dust before the ruach; I did empty them out as the dirt in the chutzot (streets).

^43 (44) Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and Thou hast made me the Rosh (head) of the Goyim (nations); an Am (people) whom I have not known shall serve me.

^44 (45) As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me; the Bnei Nekhar (foreigners) shall submit themselves unto me.

^45 (46) The Bnei Nekhar shall fade away, and come forth trembling out of their misgerot (stongholds, fastnesses, secure places).

^46 (47) Hashem chai; and baruch be my Tzur; and let the Elohei of my salvation be exalted.

^47 (48) It is El that avengeth me, and subdueth the nations under me.

^48 (49) He saveth me from mine oyevim; yea, Thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me; Thou hast delivered me from the ish chamas.

^49 (50) Therefore will I give thanks unto Thee, Hashem, among the Goyim, and sing praises unto Shimecha.

^50 (51) Great deliverance giveth He to His Melech; and showeth chesed to His Moshiach, to Dovid, and to his Zera ad olam.

19 (For the one directing. Mizmor Dovid) HaShomayim declare the kavod of G-d; and the raki’a (firmament) showeth His handiwork.

^2 (3) Yom unto yom uttereth speech, and lailah unto lailah showeth da’as.

^3 (4) There is no speech nor devarim (language), where their voice is not heard.

^4 (5) Their measuring line is gone out through kol ha’aretz, and their words to the end of the tevel (world). In them hath He set an ohel for the shemesh,

^5 (6) Which is like a choson coming out of his chuppah, and rejoiceth as a gibbor to run a race.

^6 (7) Its going forth is from the end of HaShomayim, and its circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

^7 (8) The torah of Hashem is temimah (perfect), reviving the nefesh; the edut of Hashem is ne’emanah (sure), making wise the simple.

^8 (9) The precepts of Hashem are yasharim (right), rejoicing the lev; the mitzvat Hashem is bara (clear, pure), enlightening the eyes.

^9 (10) The yirat Hashem (fear of the L-rd) is tehorah (clean), enduring forever; the mishpatim of Hashem are emes and righteous altogether.

^10 (11) More to be desired are they than zahav, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than devash and the honeycomb.

^11 (12) Moreover by them is Thy eved warned; and in being shomer over them there is great reward.

^12 (13) Who can discern his errors? Cleanse Thou me from nistarot (secret ones).

^13 (14) Keep back Thy eved also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the peysha rav (great transgression).

^14 (15) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my lev, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Hashem, my Tzur (rock), and Go’ali (my Redeemer).

20 (For the one directing. Mizmor Dovid) Hashem hear thee in the Yom Tzarah (day of trouble); the Shem Elohei Ya’akov set thee up on high [i.e., out of reach of your enemies];

² Send thee help from the Kodesh (Holy Sanctuary), and strengthen thee out of Tziyon;

³ Remember all thy minchot, and accept thy olat; Selah.

⁴ Grant thee according to thine own levav, and fulfil kol etzah (plan, counsel) of thine.

⁵ We will shout for joy at thy Yeshuah (salvation), and in the Shem of Eloheinu we will lift up our banners; Hashem grant all thy requests.

⁶ Now I have da’as that Hashem hoshi’a (He saves) His Moshiach; He will answer him from His Sh’mei Kodesh (Holy Heaven) with the saving strength of His right hand.

⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some susim: but we will trust in the Shem Hashem Eloheinu.

⁸ They are brought down and fallen, but we are risen up, and stand firm.

⁹ Hoshi’ah, Hashem, HaMelech! May He hear us on the day when we call.

21 (For the one directing. Mizmor Dovid) Melech shall have simcha in Thy strength, Hashem; and in Thy Yeshuah (salvation) how greatly shall he rejoice!

^2 (3) Thou hast given him the desire of his lev, and hast not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.

^3 (4) For Thou meeteth him with the birkhot tov; Thou settest an ateret of pure gold on his head.

^4 (5) He asked Chayyim of Thee, and Thou gavest it him, even length of yamim olam va’ed [see 1C 15:4; Ps 16:10];

^5 (6) Gadol is his kavod in Thy Yeshuah (salvation); hod v’hadar hast Thou bestowed upon him.

^6 (7) For Thou hast made him birkhot forever; Thou hast made him exceeding glad with simcha in Thy presence.

^7 (8) For HaMelech trusteth in Hashem, and through the chesed of Elyon he shall not be moved.

^8 (9) Thine yad shall find out all thine enemies; thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.

^9 (10) Thou shalt make them like an oven of eish in the time of thine presence; Hashem shall swallow them up in His wrath, and the eish shall devour them.

^10 (11) Their fruit shalt Thou destroy from ha’aretz, and their zera from among Bnei Adam.

^11 (12) For they intended ra’ah against Thee; they devised a plot, which they are not able to perform.

^12 (13) Ki (therefore) shalt Thou make them turn their backs, when Thou shalt aim Thine bowstrings at their faces.

^13 (14) Be Thou exalted, Hashem, in Thine Own Strength; so will we sing and praise Thy gevurah (power).

22 (For the one directing. To the Deer of the Dawn. Mizmor Dovid.) Eli, Eli, lamah azavtani? [See Mt 27:46 OJBC] Why art Thou so far from my yeshuah, and from the words of my groaning?

^2 (3) Elohai, I cry yomam, but Thou hearest not; and v’lailah, and am not silent.

^3 (4) But Atah Kadosh, O Thou enthroned on the tehillot Yisroel.

^4 (5) Avoteinu trusted in Thee; they had bitachon, and Thou didst deliver them.

^5 (6) They cried unto Thee, and were delivered; they had bitachon in Thee, and were not disappointed.

^6 (7) But I am a tola’at, and no ish; a reproach of men, and despised of the people [see Yeshayah 53:3 on the despised Moshiach].

^7 (8) All they that see me mock me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the rosh, saying,

^8 (9) He trusted in Hashem; let Hashem rescue him; let Him deliver him, since He delights in him.

^9 (10) But Thou art He that took me out of the womb; Thou didst make me trust when I was upon the breasts of immi.

^10 (11) I was cast upon Thee from the womb; Thou art Eli from the womb of immi.

^11 (12) Be not far from me; for tzoros is near; and there is none to help.

^12 (13) Parim rabbim (many bulls) have encompassed me; strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round about.

^13 (14) They opened wide their mouths upon me, like an aryeh roaring and tearing prey.

^14 (15) I am poured out like mayim, and all my atzmot are out of joint; my lev is like wax; it is melted away within me.

^15 (16) My ko’ach is dried up like baked clay; and my leshon cleaveth to my jaws; and Thou layest me in the aphar mavet (dust of death).

^16 (17) For kelavim have surrounded me; the Adat Mere’im (congregation of evil men) have enclosed me; ka’aru yadai v’ragelai (they pierced my hands and my feet; see Isa 53:5; Zech 12:10 and medieval Hebrew Scripture manuscripts as well as the Targum HaShivim).

^17 (18) I can count all my atzmot; the people stare and gloat at me.

^18 (19) They divide up my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast goral (lots) [Mt 27:35; Lk 23:34; Yn 19:24].

^19 (20) But be not Thou far from me, Hashem; O my strength, hasten Thee to help me.

^20 (21) Deliver my nefesh from the cherev, my yechid (only one, only [nefesh]) from the power of the kelev (dog).

^21 (22) Hoshieini from the mouth of the aryeh; for Thou hast heard me from the karnayim of the wild bulls.

^22 (23) I will declare Thy Shem unto my Achim; in the midst of the Kahal will I praise Thee.

^23 (24) Ye that fear Hashem, praise Him; all ye Zera Ya’akov, give Him kavod; and fear Him, all ye Zera Yisroel.

^24 (25) For He hath not despised nor disdained the enut ani (affliction of the afflicted); neither hath He hid His face from him; but when he cried unto Him, He heard.

^25 (26) My tehillah shall be from Thee in the Kahal Rav; I will fulfill my nedar before them that fear Him.

^26 (27) The anavim (meek) shall eat and be satisfied; they that seek Him shall praise Hashem. Let your levav live forever!

^27 (28) All the ends of HaAretz shall remember and turn unto Hashem; and all the mishpechot of the Goyim shall bow down in worship before Thee.

^28 (29) For the Meluchah is Hashem’s: and He is the Moshel over the Goyim.

^29 (30) All they that thrive upon HaAretz shall eat and worship; all they that go down to the aphar (dust) shall bow before Him; even he who cannot keep alive his own nefesh.

^30 (31) Zera shall serve Him; it shall be told to the generation [to come] concerning Adonoi.

^31 (32) They shall come, and shall declare His tzedek unto an Am Nolad (a [future] people that shall be born), that He hath done this.

23 (Mizmor of Dovid). Hashem is my Ro’eh (Shepherd); I shall not lack.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the mei menuchot (tranquil waters).

³ He restoreth my nefesh; He guideth me in the paths of tzedek l’ma’an Shmo (righteousness for the sake of His Name).

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the Gey Tzalmavet (Valley of the Shadow of Death), I will fear no rah (evil); for Thou art with me; Thy shevet (rod) and Thy staff they comfort me.

⁵ Thou preparest a shulchan before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with shemen (olive oil); my kos runneth over.

⁶ Surely tov and chesed shall follow me kol y’mei chaiyyai (all the days of my life): and I will dwell in the Bais Hashem l’orech yamim (for length of days, whole life

24 long, forever). (Mizmor of Dovid) Ha’aretz is Hashem’s, and the fullness thereof; the tevel (world), and they that dwell therein.

² For He hath founded it upon the yamim (seas), and established it upon the waters.

³ Who shall ascend the Har Hashem? Or who shall stand in His Makom Kodesh?

⁴ He that hath clean hands, and a bar levav (pure heart); who hath not lifted up his nefesh unto shahv (vanity), nor sworn l’mirmah (deceitfully).

⁵ He shall receive the brocha (blessing) from Hashem, and tzedakah from Elohei Yisho (the G-d of his Salvation).

⁶ This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek Thy face, O Ya’akov. Selah.

⁷ Lift up your heads, O ye she’arim; and be ye lifted up, ye Pitchei Olam (everlasting doorways); and Melech HaKavod shall come in.

⁸ Who is this Melech HaKavod? Hashem strong and mighty, Hashem Gibbor Milchamah.

⁹ Lift up your heads, O ye she’arim; even lift them up, ye Pitchei Olam; and Melech HaKavod shall come in.

¹⁰ Who is this Melech HaKavod? Hashem Tzva’os, He is Melech HaKavod. Selah.

25 (Of Dovid) [Aleph] Unto Thee, Hashem, do I lift up my nefesh.

² [Bais] O Elohai, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine oyevim triumph over me.

³ [Gimel] Yea, let none that wait [hoping in] Thee be ashamed; let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

⁴ [Dalet] Show me Thy ways, Hashem; teach me Thy paths.

⁵ [Heh Vav] Lead me in Thy emes, and teach me; for Thou art the Elohei of my Salvation; on Thee do I wait kol hayom.

⁶ [Zayin] Remember, Hashem, Thy rachamim and Thy lovingkindnesses; for they have ever been of old.

⁷ [Chet] Remember not the chattot of my youth, nor my peysha’im; according to Thy chesed remember Thou me for the sake of Thy goodness, Hashem.

⁸ [Tet] Tov and yashar is Hashem; therefore will He teach chatta’im in the Derech.

⁹ [Yod] The meek will He guide in mishpat; and the aniyim will He teach His way.

¹⁰ [Kaph] All the paths of Hashem are chesed and emes unto such as keep His Brit (covenant) and His Edot (covenant demands, urgings, reminders, testimonies).

¹¹ [Lamed] For the sake of Thy Shem, Hashem, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

¹² [Mem] What man is he that feareth Hashem? Him shall He teach in the Derech that he shall choose.

¹³ [Nun] His nefesh (soul) shall dwell in prosperity; and his zera shall inherit the earth.

¹⁴ [Samech] The secret of Hashem is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His Brit (covenant).

¹⁵ [Ayin] Mine eyes are ever toward Hashem; for He shall pluck my feet out of the reshet (net).

¹⁶ [Peh] Turn Thee unto me, and be gracious unto me; for I am yachid (alone, lonely) and afflicted.

¹⁷ [Tzade] The tzoros of my lev are multiplied; O bring Thou me forth out of my distresses.

¹⁸ [Resh] Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and take away all my chattot.

¹⁹ Resh] Look upon mine enemies; for they are increased; and they hate me with sinas chamas.

²⁰ Shin] Be shomer over my nefesh, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed; for I take refuge in Thee.

²¹ [Tav] Let tohm (integrity, guilelessness) and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on Thee.

²² Redeem Yisroel, O Elohim, out of all his tzoros.

26 (Of Dovid) Vindicate me, Hashem; for I have walked in mine tohm (guilelessness); I have trusted also in Hashem without wavering.

² Examine me, Hashem, and prove me; try my heart and my mind.

³ For Thy chesed is before mine eyes; and I have walked in Thy emes.

⁴ I do not sit with meteishav (men of vanity), neither will I go in with dissemblers.

⁵ I have hated the kehal mere’im (congregation of evil doers); and will not sit with the resha’im.

⁶ I will wash mine hands in nikkayon (innocency, cleanness, freedom from punishment); so will I encompass Thine Mizbe’ach, Hashem;

⁷ That I may publish with the voice of todah, and tell of all Thy wondrous works.

⁸ Hashem, I have loved the ma’on of Thy Bais [HaMikdash], and the Mishkan where Thine kavod dwelleth.

⁹ Take not away my nefesh with chatta’im (sinners), nor my Chai (life) with anshei damim;

¹⁰ In whose hands is zimmah (wicked plans), and their right hand is full of shochad (bribery).

¹¹ But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity; redeem me, v’chaneini (and be merciful and gracious unto me).

¹² My regel standeth on level ground; in the great assemblies unto Hashem will I render brocha.

27 (Of Dovid) Hashem is my ohr and Yishi (my Salvation); whom shall I fear? Hashem is the ma’oz (stronghold) of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the resha’im, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to devour my basar, they stumbled and fell.

³ Though an army should encamp against me, my lev shall not fear; though milchamah should break out against me, in this will I be confident.

⁴ One thing have I asked of Hashem, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the Bais Hashem all the days of my life, to behold the gracefulness of Hashem, and to inquire in His Heikhal.

⁵ For in the Yom Ra’ah (day of evil) He shall keep me safe in His Sukkah; in the shelter of His Ohel shall He conceal me; He shall set me up upon a Tzur (rock).

⁶ And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies around about me; therefore will I offer in His Ohel sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yea, I will make music unto Hashem.

⁷ Shema, Hashem, when I call with my voice; chaneini also upon me, and answer me.

⁸ When my lev said of Thee, Seek ye My face, my lev said unto Thee, Thy face, Hashem, will I seek.

⁹ Hide not Thy face far from me; turn not Thy eved away in anger; Thou hast been my ezer; leave me not, neither forsake me, Elohei Yishi (G-d of my Salvation).

¹⁰ When avi and immi forsake me, then Hashem will take me up.

¹¹ Teach me Thy Derech, Hashem, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

¹² Deliver me not over unto the desire of mine enemies; for edei sheker are risen up against me, and such as breathe out chamas.

¹³ Did I not believe to see Hashem’s goodness in the Eretz Chayyim!

¹⁴ Wait for Hashem: Chazak! And strengthen thine lev. Wait, I say, for Hashem.

28 (Of Dovid) Unto Thee will I cry, Hashem my Tzur; do not turn a deaf ear to me: lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

² Shema (hear) kol (voice) of my supplications, when I cry unto Thee, when I lift up my hands toward Thy Devir Kodesh (Innermost Sanctuary, Kodesh HaKodashim).

³ Draw me not away with the resha’im, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak shalom to their neighbors, but malice is in their hearts.

⁴ Give to them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them after the work of their hands; render to them their gemul (deserts).

⁵ Because they regard not the Pe’ulot Hashem, nor the Ma’aseh of His hands, He shall tear them down, and not build them up.

⁶ Baruch Hashem, because He hath heard the kol (voice) of my supplications.

⁷ Hashem is my strength and my mogen; my lev trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my lev greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I thank Him.

⁸ Hashem is their oz (strength), and He is the Ma’oz Yeshu’ot (saving refuge) of His Moshiach.

⁹ Save Thy people, and bless Thine nachalah; shepherd them also, and carry them ad olam.

29 (Mizmor of Dovid) Ascribe unto Hashem, O ye bnei elim (sons of the mighty), ascribe unto Hashem kavod and oz (strength).

² Ascribe unto Hashem the Kavod Shmo; worship Hashem in the Hadrat Kodesh (beauty of holiness).

³ The voice of Hashem is upon the waters; El HaKavod thundereth; Hashem is over the mayim rabbim.

⁴ The voice of Hashem is in Ko’ach; the voice of Hashem is in hadar (majesty).

⁵ The voice of Hashem breaketh the cedars; Hashem breaketh the cedars of the Levanon.

⁶ He maketh them also to skip like an egel (calf); Levanon and Siryon, like a young reimim (wild ox).

⁷ The voice of Hashem hews out with flashes of eish.

⁸ The voice of Hashem shaketh the midbar; Hashem shaketh the Midbar Kadesh.

⁹ The voice of Hashem causes the deer to calve, and strips bare the ye’arot (forests); and in His Heikhal doth everyone say, Kavod!

¹⁰ Hashem sitteth upon the mabbul (flood); yea, Hashem sitteth enthroned as Melech l’olam.

¹¹ Hashem will give oz (strength) unto His people; Hashem will bless His people with shalom.

30 (Mizmor. Shir Chanukat HaBeis. Of Dovid) I will exalt Thee, Hashem, for Thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to gloat over me.

^2 (3) Hashem Elohai, I cried unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me.

^3 (4) Hashem, Thou hast brought up my nefesh from Sheol; Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

^4 (5) Sing unto Hashem, O ye chasidim of His, and give thanks to His Zekher Kodesh.

^5 (6) For His anger endureth but a rega; in His favor is Chayyim; weeping may endure for an erev, but joy cometh in the boker.

^6 (7) And in my shalvah (security) I said, I shall never be moved.

^7 (8) Hashem, by Thy favor Thou hast made my mountain to stand firm; Thou didst hide Thy face, and I was troubled.

^8 (9) I cried to Thee, Hashem; and unto Adonoi I made supplication.

^9 (10) What profit is there in my dahm, in my going down into the pit? Shall the aphar (dust) praise Thee? Shall it declare Thy emes?

^10 (11) Shema, Hashem, and channeini; Hashem, be Thou my helper.

^11 (12) Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with simcha;

^12 (13) That kavod (my glory, my soul) may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. Hashem Elohai, I will give thanks unto Thee l’olam.

31 (For the one directing. Mizmor Dovid) In Thee, Hashem, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in Thy tzedakah.

^2 (3) Incline Thine ear to me; deliver me speedily; be Thou for me a Tzur Ma’oz, a Bais Metzudot (fortress) to save me.

^3 (4) For Thou art my Sela (rock) and my Metzudah (fortress); therefore for the sake of Thy Name, lead me, and guide me.

^4 (5) Pull me out of the reshet (trap, net) that they have laid for me; for Thou art my ma’oz (stronghold).

^5 (6) Into Thine yad I commit my ruach; Thou hast redeemed me, Hashem El Emes [Lk 23:46; Ac 7:59].

^6 (7) I hate them that are the shomrim of lying vanities [i.e., idols]; but I trust in Hashem.

^7 (8) I will be glad and rejoice in Thy chesed; for Thou hast seen my affliction; Thou hast known the tzoros (troubles) of my nefesh;

^8 (9) And hast not shut me up into the yad of the oyev (enemy); Thou hast set my feet in a merkhav (large place, spacious or broad place).

^9 (10) Channeni, Hashem, for I am in tzoros; mine eye is consumed with ka’as (grief), my nefesh and my beten.

^10 (11) For my life is spent with grief, and my years with groaning; my ko’ach faileth because of mine avon (iniquity), and my atzmot waste away.

^11 (12) I was a cherpah (reproach, scorn, disgrace) among all mine enemies, but especially among my shchenim (neighbors), and a dread to mine acquaintance; they that did see me outside fled from me.

^12 (13) I am forgotten like a dead man out of mind; I am like a keli oved (broken vessel).

^13 (14) For I have heard the dibbah (evil report, slander) of many; terror was on every side; while they conspire against me, they plot to take my nefesh.

^14 (15) But I trust in Thee, Hashem; I said, Thou art Elohai.

^15 (16) My times are in Thy yad; deliver me from the yad of mine oyevim (enemies), and from them that persecute me.

^16 (17) Make Thy face to shine upon Thy eved; hoshi’eini (save me) for the sake of Thy chesed.

¹⁷ Let me not be put to shame, Hashem; for I have called upon Thee; let the resha’im be put to shame, and let them keep silent in Sheol.

^18 (19) Let the siftei sheker (lying lips) be put to silence; which speak insolent things with ga’avah (pride) and contemptuously against the tzaddik.

^19 (20) Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast stored up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that take refuge in Thee before the Bnei Adam!

^20 (21) Thou shalt hide them b’seter (in the shelter) of Thy presence from the intrigues of ish; Thou shalt keep them safe in a sukkah from the riv l’shonot (the strife of tongues, contentious lashon hora, backbiting, slander).

²¹ Baruch Hashem! For He hath showed me His wondrous chesed in an Ir Matzor (besieged city).

^22 (23) For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before Thine eyes; nevertheless Thou heardest the voice of my tachanun (supplications) when unto Thee I cried for help.

^23 (24) O love Hashem, all ye His Chasidim; for Hashem preserveth the emunim (the faithful ones), but He pays back in full the oseh ga’avah (the one acting in pride, haughtily).

^24 (25) Chazak! Be strong, let your levav take courage, all ye that hope in Hashem.

32 (Of David. A maskil). Ashrei is he whose peysha (rebellion) is forgiven, whose chata’ah (sin) is covered.

² Ashrei is the adam unto whom Hashem imputeth not avon (iniquity), and in whose ruach there is no remiyyah (guile, deceit).

³ When I kept silent [i.e., refused to confess my sin, which was still naked and uncovered (see 32:1) and had no kapporah covering for my guilt before G-d], my atzmot wasted away through my groaning kol hayom (all the day).

⁴ For yomam valailah Thy yad was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as by the droughts of kayitz (summer). Selah.

⁵ I acknowledge my chattat unto Thee, and mine avon (iniquity) have I not covered up. I said, I will confess my peysha’im (rebellions) unto Hashem; and Thou forgavest the avon (iniquity) of my chattat. Selah.

⁶ Therefore shall every Chasid pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; surely in the floods of mayim rabbim they shall not overtake him.

⁷ Thou art my seter (hiding place, shelter); Thou shalt preserve me from tzoros; Thou shalt envelop me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

⁸ I will instruct thee and teach thee in the Derech which thou shalt go; I will counsel thee with Mine eye.

⁹ Be ye not like the sus, or like the pered (mule), which have no binah; whose mouth must be harnassed with bit and bridle, else they come not near thee.

¹⁰ Many sorrows shall be to the resha’im, but he that trusteth in Hashem, chesed shall envelop and cover him.

¹¹ Be glad in Hashem, and rejoice, ye tzaddikim; and shout for joy, all ye yishrei lev (upright in heart).

33 Sing with joy in Hashem, O ye tzaddikim; for tehillah is fitting for the yesharim (upright ones).

² Hodu l’Hashem with kinnor (harp); make music unto Him with the ten stringed nevel (lyre).

³ Sing unto Him a shir chadash (new song); play skillfully with a teru’ah (shout of joy).

⁴ For the Devar Hashem is yashar; and kol ma’aseihu (all His deeds) are done in emunah (faithfulness).

⁵ He loveth Tzedakah and Mishpat; ha’aretz is full of the chesed Hashem.

⁶ By the Devar Hashem were Shomayim made; and all the tz’va (host) of them by the ruach (breath) of His mouth [MJ 11:3; Yn 1:1; Psa 56:5].

⁷ He gathereth the mey hayam (waters of the sea) like a mound; He layeth up the tehomot (ocean depths) in otzarot (storehouses, vaults).

⁸ Let kol ha’aretz fear Hashem; let kol yoshvei tevel (all the inhabitants of the world) stand in awe of Him.

⁹ For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood firm.

¹⁰ Hashem annuls the atzat Goyim (plan of the Goyim); He foils the machsh’vot Amim (schemes of the peoples).

¹¹ The atzat Hashem standeth firm l’olam, the machsh’vot of His lev l’dor va’dor (from generation to generation).

¹² Ashrei is the Goy whose Elohav is Hashem; and HaAm whom He hath chosen for His own nachalah.

¹³ Hashem looketh down from Shomayim: He beholdeth kol Bnei HaAdam.

¹⁴ From the place of His habitation He looketh upon kol yoshvei ha’aretz.

¹⁵ He formeth their hearts yachad; He considereth all their ma’asim (deeds).

¹⁶ There is no melech saved by the multitude of an army; a gibbor is not delivered by rav ko’ach.

¹⁷ A sus is a sheker (vain, false thing) for teshu’ah (deliverance, salvation, safety); neither shall it save any by its great strength.

¹⁸ Hinei, the eye of Hashem is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His chesed;

¹⁹ To deliver their nefesh from mavet (death), and to keep them alive in ra’av (famine).

²⁰ Our nefesh waiteth for Hashem; He is ezrienu (our help) and moginneinu (our shield).

²¹ For libeinu (our heart) shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted b’Shem Kadsho (in His holy Name).

²² Let Thy chesed, Hashem, be upon us, even as we have hoped in Thee.

34 (Of Dovid, when he feigned insanity before Avimelech, who drove him away, and he went out) ^1 (2) I will make a bracha of praise unto Hashem at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

^2 (3) My nefesh shall make its boast in Hashem; the anavim (humble) shall hear thereof, and be glad.

^3 (4) O magnify Hashem with me, and let us exalt Shmo together.

^4 (5) I sought Hashem, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

^5 (6) They looked unto Him, and were radiant; and their panim were not ashamed.

^6 (7) The oni (poor man) cried, and Hashem heard him, and saved him out of all his tzoros.

^7 (8) The Malach Hashem encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.

^8 (9) O taste and see that Hashem is tov; ashrei is the man that taketh refuge in Him.

^9 (10) O fear Hashem, ye His Kedoshim; for there is no lack to them that fear Him.

^10 (11) The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they that seek Hashem shall not lack any good thing.

^11 (12) Come, ye banim, pay heed unto me; I will teach you the fear of Hashem.

^12 (13) What ish is he that desireth chayyim, and loveth many days, that he may see tov?

^13 (14) Keep thy tongue from rah, and thy lips from speaking mirmah (guile, see Isaiah 53:9 where it says Moshiach will lack mirmah).

^14 (15) Depart from rah, and do tov; seek shalom, and pursue it.

^15 (16) The eyes of Hashem are upon the tzaddikim, and His ears open to their cry.

^16 (17) The face of Hashem is against them that do rah, to cut off the zekher (remembrance) of them from ha’aretz.

^17 (18) The tzaddikim cry, and Hashem heareth, and delivereth them out of all their tzoros.

^18 (19) Hashem is near unto them whose lev is broken; and saveth such whose ruach is contrite.

^19 (20) Many are the afflictions of the tzaddik; but Hashem delivereth him out of them all.

^20 (21) He keepeth shomer over all his bones; not one of them is broken [Yn 19:36].

^21 (22) Evil shall slay the resha’im; and they that hate the tzaddik shall be desolate.

^22 (23) Hashem redeemeth the nefesh of His avadim; and none of them that take refuge in Him shall be condemned [see Ro 5:1; 8:1 OJBC].

35 (Of Dovid) Contend, Hashem, with them that contend with me; fight against them that fight against me.

² Take hold of mogen and tzinnah (large shield) and arise to my aid.

³ Draw out also the khanit (spear), and block the way against them that persecute me; say unto my nefesh, I am Thy Yeshuah (salvation).

⁴ Let them be put to shame and disgraced that seek after my nefesh; let a rout in retreat be theirs and let them be brought to dismay that plot my ruin.

⁵ Let them be like motz (chaff) before the ruach; and let the Malach Hashem drive them away.

⁶ Let their derech be choshech and slippery; and let the Malach Hashem pursue them.

⁷ For without cause have they hid for me their reshet (net) in a shachat (pit), which without cause they dug for my nefesh.

⁸ Let sho’ah (disaster) come upon him unawares; and let his own reshet (net) that he hath hid ensnare him; into that very sho’ah let him fall.

⁹ And my nefesh shall rejoice in Hashem; it shall be joyful in His Yeshuah (salvation).

¹⁰ All my atzmot shall say, Hashem, mi khamocha (who is like Thee), Who deliverest the oni (poor) from him that is too strong for him, yes, the oni and the evyon (needy) from him that despoileth him?

¹¹ Edei chamas (witnesses of violence, false witnesses) rise up; they lay to my charge things, questioning me of that which I have no da’as.

¹² They repay me ra’ah for tovah to the forlornness of my nefesh.

¹³ But as for me, when they were choleh (ill), my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my nefesh with tzom (fasting); and my tefillah (prayer) turned back on mine own kheyk (bosom).

¹⁴ I went about as though he had been my re’a or ach; I bowed in sadness, as one that mourneth for his em.

¹⁵ But at mine stumbling they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; yes, the attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I had no da’as; they did tear at me [with slander], and ceased not:

¹⁶ Like chanef (hypocritical) mockers at cake, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

¹⁷ Adonoi, how long wilt Thou look on? Rescue my nefesh from their destructions, my yechidah (only one, my life) from the lions.

¹⁸ I will give Thee thanks in the kahal rav (great congregation); I will praise Thee among the mighty throng.

¹⁹ Let not them that are mine oyevim gloat over me; neither let them wink with the eye that have sinas chinom (baseless hatred) toward me.

²⁰ For they speak not shalom, but they scheme divrei mirmot (deceitful matters) against the rigei eretz (them that are quiet in the land).

²¹ Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.

²² This Thou hast seen, Hashem; keep not silent; Adonoi, be not far from me.

²³ Stir up Thyself, and awake to my mishpat, even to my cause, Elohai and Adonoi.

²⁴ Vindicate me, Hashem Elohai, according to Thy tzedakah; and let them not gloat over me.

²⁵ Let them not say in their lev, Ah, so would we have it; let them not say, We have swallowed him up.

²⁶ Let them be put to shame and brought to confusion together that gloat at mine ra’ah (disaster, distress); let them be clothed with boshet (shame) and kelimah (dishonor, disgrace) that exalt themselves against me.

²⁷ Let them sing for joy, and be glad, that favor my tzedek (righteousness, vindication); yes, let them say tamid (continually), Let Hashem be magnified, which hath pleasure in the shalom (welfare) of His eved.

²⁸ And my leshon (tongue) shall speak of Thy tzedek (righteousness) and of Thy tehillah (praise) kol hayom (all the day).

36 (For the one directing. Of Dovid, the eved Hashem) Peysha speaketh to the rashah within my lev, that there is no pachad Elohim (fear of G-d) before his eyes.

^2 (3) For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his avon (iniquity) be found to be hateful.

^3 (4) The words of his mouth are iniquity and mirmah (deceit); he hath ceased to be wise, and to do tov (good).

^4 (5) He deviseth evil upon his mishkav (bed); he setteth himself in a derech that is not tov; he abhorreth not rah.

^5 (6) Thy chesed, Hashem, is in HaShomayim; and Thy emunah (faithfulness) reacheth unto the clouds.

^6 (7) Thy tzedakah is like the great mountains; Thy mishpatim are tehom rabbah (a great deep); Hashem, Thou preservest adam (man) and behemah (beast).

^7 (8) How precious is Thy chesed, O Elohim! Therefore the Bnei Adam find refuge under the shadow of Thy wings.

^8 (9) They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of Thy Beis [Hamikdash]; and Thou shalt give them to drink of Thy river of delight.

^9 (10) For with Thee is the Makor Chayyim (fountain of life); in Thy Ohr shall we see ohr.

^10 (11) O continue Thy chesed unto them that know Thee; and Thy tzedakah to the yishrei lev (the ones upright of heart).

^11 (12) Let not the regel ga’avah (foot of pride) come against me, and let not the yad of the resha’im drive me away.

^12 (13) There are the po’alei aven (workers of iniquity) fallen; they are thrown down, and shall not be able to rise.

37 (Of Dovid) Fret not thyself because of re’im (evildoers); neither have thou kina (jealousy, envy) of the workers of iniquity.

² For they shall soon be cut down like the khatzir (grass), and wither as the green desheh (herb, plant).

³ Trust in Hashem, and do tov; so shalt thou dwell in the Eretz (land), ure’eh emunah (and thou be pastured securely).

⁴ Delight thyself also in Hashem, and He shall give thee the desires of thine lev.

⁵ Commit thy derech (road, way) unto Hashem; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.

⁶ And He shall bring forth thy tzedakah (righteousness) as the ohr (light), and thy mishpat (justice) as the tzohorayim (noonday).

⁷ Rest in Hashem, and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his derech, because of the ish who bringeth wicked schemes to pass.

⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake chemah (wrath); fret not thyself in any wise to do rah.

⁹ For evildoers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon Hashem, they shall inherit the Eretz (land).

¹⁰ For yet a little while, and the rasha shall not be; yes, thou shalt watch his place, and he will not be.

¹¹ But the anavim (meek ones) shall inherit Eretz; and shall delight themselves in rov shalom (great peace; see Psa 119:165).

¹² The rasha plotteth against the tzaddik, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

¹³ Adonoi shall laugh at him, for He seeth that his yom is coming.

¹⁴ The resha’im have drawn out the cherev, and have bent their keshet, to cast down the oni (poor) and evyon (needy), and to slay such as be yishrei derech (upright ones on the road, that walk uprightly).

¹⁵ Their cherev shall enter into their own lev, and their keshatot (bows) shall be broken.

¹⁶ A little that a tzaddik hath is better than the riches of resha’im rabbim.

¹⁷ For the zero’ot (arms, powers) of the resha’im shall be broken; but Hashem upholdeth the tzaddikim.

¹⁸ Hashem knoweth the yamim of the temimim (blameless ones); and their nachalah (inheritance) shall be l’olahm (forever).

¹⁹ They shall not be put to shame in time of evil; and in the days of famine yisba’u (they shall be satisfied, enjoy plenty).

²⁰ But the resha’im shall perish, and the oyvei Hashem (enemies of Hashem) shall be like the glory of the meadows; they shall disappear like ashan (smoke), they shall vanish.

²¹ The rasha borroweth, and repayeth not; but the tzaddik showeth chonen (generosity), and giveth.

²² For such as be blessed of Him shall inherit Eretz; and they that be cursed of Him shall be cut off.

²³ The steps of a gever (man) konanu (are ordered, made firm) by Hashem and He delighteth in his derech.

²⁴ Though he stumble, he shall not utterly fall; for Hashem upholdeth him with His yad (hand, power).

²⁵ I have been na’ar (young), and now am old; yet I have not seen the tzaddik forsaken, nor his zera begging lechem.

²⁶ He is ever chonen (generous, merciful; see verse 21), and lendeth; and his zera is blessed.

²⁷ Depart from rah, and do tov; and dwell l’olahm (for evermore).

²⁸ For Hashem loveth mishpat, and forsaketh not His chasidim; they are preserved l’olahm; but the zera resha’im shall be cut off.

²⁹ The tzaddikim shall inherit Eretz, and dwell therein forever.

³⁰ The mouth of the tzaddik speaketh chochmah, and his leshon uttereth mishpat.

³¹ The torat Elohav is in his lev; no steps of his shall slip.

³² The rashah lieth in wait to ambush the tzaddik, and seeketh to slay him.

³³ Hashem will not leave him in his yad (hand, power), nor condemn him b’hishshafto (when he is judged, brought to trial).

³⁴ Wait on Hashem, and be shomer over His Derech, and He shall exalt thee to inherit Eretz; when the resha’im are cut off, thou shalt see it.

³⁵ I have seen the violently powerful rashah, spreading himself like an indigenous green tree.

³⁶ Yet he passed away, and, hinei, he was no more; yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

³⁷ Mark the blameless man, and observe the yashar (upright); for the end of that ish is shalom.

³⁸ But the poshe’im (rebels, transgressors) shall be made shmad together; the latter end [i.e., future] of the resha’im shall be cut off.

³⁹ But the Teshu’at Tzaddikim is of Hashem; He is their ma’oz (stronghold, refuge) in the time of tzoros.

⁴⁰ And Hashem helps them, and delivers them; He shall deliver them from the resha’im, and save them, because they take refuge in Him.

38 (Mizmor Dovid. For the memorial portion of the mincha) Hashem, rebuke me not in Thy wrath; neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure.

^2 (3) For Thine khitzim (arrows) pierce me, and Thy Yad presseth upon me.

^3 (4) There is no health in my basar because of Thine anger; neither is there any shalom in my atzmot because of my chattat.

^4 (5) For mine avonot (iniquities) are gone over mine head; as a weighty massa (burden) they are too heavy for me.

^5 (6) My chaburot (wounds) are foul and festering because of my wicked folly.

^6 (7) I am bent down; I am brought low ad me’od; I go about mourning all day long.

^7 (8) For my loins are filled with burning; and there is no health in my basar.

^8 (9) I am feeble and broken ad me’od; I have groaned by reason of the disquietness of my lev.

^9 (10) Adonoi, all my ta’avah (desire, longing) is before Thee; and my groaning is not hid from Thee.

^10 (11) My lev panteth, my ko’ach faileth me; as for the ohr of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

^11 (12) My loved ones and my re’a stand aloof from my nega [see Isa 53:8 on Moshiach’s nega]; and my neighbors stand afar off.

^12 (13) They also that seek after my nefesh lay snares for me; and they that seek my hurt speak of ruin, and plot mirmot (deceptions, deceits) all the day long.

^13 (14) But I, like a cheresh (deaf man), heard not; and I was like a mute that openeth not his mouth.

^14 (15) Thus I was like an ish that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no tokhachot (reproofs).

^15 (16) For I wait for Thee, Hashem; Thou wilt hear, Adonoi Elohai.

^16 (17) For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should gloat over me; when my regel slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.

^17 (18) For I am ready to fall, and my sorrow is before me tamid.

^18 (19) For I will declare mine avon; I will be in anguish over my chattat.

^19 (20) But mine oveyim are chayyim (vigorous), and they are strong; and they that hate me sheker (wrongfully) are multiplied.

^20 (21) They also that repay ra’ah for tovah are mine adversaries; because I pursue the thing that is tov.

^21 (22) Forsake me not, Hashem Elohai; be not far from me.

^22 (23) Make haste to help me, Adonoi Teshuati (L-rd of my salvation).

39 (For the one directing, even to Yedutun. Mizmor Dovid). I said, I will be shomer over my ways, that I sin not with my leshon; I will be shomer over my mouth with a muzzle, while the rashah is before me.

^2 (3) I was dumb with silence, I held my peace for the sake of tov; and my distress grew severe.

^3 (4) My lev became hot within me; while I was musing the eish burned; then I spoke with my leshon,

^4 (5) Hashem, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my yamim, what it is; that I may have da’as of how chadel (fleeting, frail) I am.

^5 (6) Hinei, Thou hast made my yamim as a handbreadth, and mine lifespan is as nothing before Thee; verily kol adam stand as kol hevel (altogether vanity). Selah.

^6 (7) Surely every ish walketh in a tzel (shadow); surely they are in turmoil in vain; he heapeth up riches, and hath no da’as of who shall gather them.

^7 (8) And now, Adonoi, what do I wait for? My hope is in Thee.

^8 (9) Save me from all my peysha’im; make me not the reproach of the foolish.

^9 (10) I was silent, I opened not my mouth; because Atah (Thou) did it.

^10 (11) Remove Thy nega (stroke, scourge) away from me; I am consumed by the blow of Thine yad.

^11 (12) When Thou with rebukes dost correct man for avon (iniquity), Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely kol adam are hevel (vanity). Selah.

^12 (13) Hear my tefillah, Hashem, and give ear unto my cry; hold not Thy peace at my weeping; for I am a ger with Thee, and a sojourner, as were all my Avot.

^13 (14) O spare me from Thy frown, that I may recover strength, before I depart, v’eineni (and I be no more). [T.N. Animal sacrifices cannot take away sin; they are only a shadow of the korban nefesh of Moshiach. See Ps 40 and MJ chp 10; Isa 53:10.]

40 (40:2)(For the one directing, Of Dovid. Mizmor) I waited patiently for Hashem; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

^2 (3) Hashem brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

^3 (4) And He hath put a shir chadash in my mouth, even tehillah (hymn of praise) unto Eloheinu; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Hashem.

^4 (5) Ashrei is that man that maketh Hashem his trust, and looketh not to the proud ones, nor such as turn aside to lies (false g-ds).

^5 (6) Many, O Hashem Elohai, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward; they cannot be recounted unto Thee; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

^6 (7) Zevach and minchah Thou didst not desire; mine ears hast Thou pierced [cf Psa 22:17]; olah (burnt offering) and chata’ah (sin offering) hast Thou not required.

^7 (8) Then said I, Hinei, I come; in the megillat sefer it is written of me [cf MJ 10:5-7],

^8 (9) I delight to do Thy will, O Elohai; yea, Thy torah is within my heart.

^9 (10) I have preached tzedek in the kahal rav (great congregation); hinei, I have not restrained my lips, O Hashem, Thou knowest.

^10 (11) I have not hid thy tzedek within my lev; I have declared Thy emunah (faithfulness) and Thy teshuah (salvation); I have not concealed Thy chesed and Thy emes from the kahal rav.

^11 (12) Withhold not Thou thy rachamim from me, O Hashem; let Thy chesed and Thy emes continually preserve me.

^12 (13) For innumerable evils have compassed me about; mine avonot (iniquities) have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head; therefore my lev faileth me.

^13 (14) Be pleased, O Hashem, to deliver me; O Hashem, make haste to help me.

^14 (15) Let them be ashamed and mutually confounded that seek after my nefesh to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

^15 (16) Let them be appalled because of their boshet (shame) that say unto me, Aha, aha.

^16 (17) Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; let such as love Thy teshuah say continually, Hashem be magnified.

^17 (18) But I am poor and needy; yet Adonoi thinketh upon me; Thou art my ezer and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O Elohai.

41 (For the one directing, Mizmor of Dovid).

^2 (1) Blessed is he that considereth the helpless; Hashem will deliver him in time of ra’ah (evil, trouble).

^3 (2) Hashem will be shomer over him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed in ha’aretz; and Thou wilt not surrender him unto the desire of his enemies.

^4 (3) Hashem will support him upon the sickbed; in his illness, all his bedridden languishing Thou wilt change (i.e., toward recovery).

^5 (4) I said, Hashem, channeni (be gracious unto me); heal my nefesh; for I have sinned against Thee.

^6 (5) Mine enemies speak rah (evil) of me: When will he die, and shmo (his name) perish?

^7 (6) And if one cometh to see me, he speaketh falsely; his lev gathereth wickedness to itself; when he goeth lachutz (outside, around) he telleth it.

^8 (7) All that hate me whisper together against me; against me do they devise my hurt.

^9 (8) A thing of beliya’al (a wicked fate, i.e., a terminal illness), say they, cleaveth fast unto him, that when he lieth he shall rise up no more.

^10 (9) Yea, mine own ish shalom (familiar friend, close friend), in whom I trusted, which did eat of my lechem, hath lifted up his heel (i.e., deceitfully showed enmity) against me [see Yn 13:18].

^11 (10) But Thou, O Hashem, channeni (be gracious, merciful unto me), and raise me up, that I may repay them.

^12 (11) By this I know that Thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

^13 (12) And as for me, Thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before Thy face l’olam (forever).

^14 (13) Baruch Hashem Elohei Yisroel m’haolam v’ad haolam. Omein and Omein.

42 (For the one directing, Maskil, for the Bnei Korah). As the deer panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my nefesh after Thee, O Elohim.

^2 (3) My nefesh thirsteth for Elohim, for El Chai. When shall I come and appear before Elohim [in the Beis Hamikdash]?

^3 (4) My tears have been my lechem yomam valailah, while they continually say unto me, Where is Eloheicha?

^4 (5) When I remember these things, I pour out my nefesh within me; for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the Beis Elohim with the voice of rinnah and todah, with the multitude keeping Chag (holy day, pilgrim feast).

^5 (6) Why art thou cast down, O my nefesh? And why groanest thou (i.e., murmuring in discouragement) within me? Hope thou in (i.e., wait for) Elohim; for I shall yet give Him thanks, for He is the yeshuah (salvation) of my countenance and Elohai.

^6 (7) My nefesh is cast down within me; therefore will I remember Thee from Eretz Yarden, and from Chermon’s peaks, from Har Mitzar [mountain near Mt Chermon].

^7 (8) Tehom el Tehom ([oceanic] deep unto [oceanic] deep) calleth at the noise of Thy waterfalls; all Thy breakers and Thy billows are passed over me.

^8 (9) Yet Hashem will command His chesed by day, and in the night His shir (song) shall be with me, my tefillah (prayer) unto the El Chayyai (G-d of my life).

^9 (10) I will say unto El Sali (G-d my Rock), Why hast Thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the oyev (enemy)? [Mt 27:46]

^10 (11) As with the crushing of my atzamot (bones), mine tzorer (vexers, harassers) reproach me; while they say all day long unto me, Where is Eloheicha?

^11 (12) Why art thou cast down, O my nefesh? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in (wait for) Elohim; for I shall yet give Him thanks, for He is the yeshuah (salvation) of my countenance and Elohai.

43 Vindicate me, O Elohim, and plead my cause against a nation lo chasid; O deliver me from the ish mirmah v’avlah (deceitful and unjust man).

² For Thou art the Elohei Ma’oz of me. Why dost Thou cast me off? Why must I go mourning because of the oppression of the oyev?

³ O send out Thy Ohr and Thy Emes; let them guide me; let them bring me unto Thy Har Kodesh, and to Thy Mishkan.

⁴ Then will I go unto the Mizbe’ach of Elohim, unto El my exceeding joy; yea, upon the kinnor will I praise Thee, O Elohim Elohai.

⁵ Why art thou cast down, O my nefesh? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in Elohim; for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the Yeshu’ot of my countenance, and Elohai.

44 (For the one directing. Of the Bnei Korach. A maskil). We have heard with our oznayim, O Elohim, Avoteinu have told us, what po’al (work) Thou hast wrought in their days, in the times of old.

^2 (3) How Thou didst drive out the Goyim with Thy Yad, but plantedst them; how Thou didst afflict the people, but for them Thou madest room.

^3 (4) For they got not eretz in possession by their own cherev, neither did their own zero’a save them, but Thy Yamin (Right Hand), and Thine Zero’a, and the ohr (light) of Thy countenance, because Thou favored them.

^4 (5) Thou art my Melech, O Elohim; command yeshu’ot (deliverances) for Ya’akov.

^5 (6) Through Thee will we push down our enemies; through Thy Shem will we trample them under that rise up against us.

^6 (7) For I will not trust in my keshet (bow), neither shall my cherev save me.

^7 (8) But Thou hast saved us from tzareinu (our enemies), and hast put them to shame that hated us.

^8 (9) In Elohim we boast kol hayom, and praise Thy Shem l’olam (forever). Selah.

^9 (10) But Thou hast cast off, and disgraced us; and goest not forth with tzivoteinu (our armies).

^10 (11) Thou makest us to turn back from before the tzar (enemy); and they which hate us have taken plunder for themselves.

^11 (12) Thou hast given us up like tzon appointed for food; and hast scattered us among the Goyim.

^12 (13) Thou sellest Amecha (Thy People) for a mere nothing, and art not enriched by their price.

^13 (14) Thou makest us a cherpah (reproach) to our shchenim (neighbors), a scorn and a derision to them that are all around us.

^14 (15) Thou makest us a mashal (byword) among the Goyim, a shaking of the rosh among the peoples.

^15 (16) Kol hayom my dishonor is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,

^16 (17) At the voice of him that reproacheth and revileth; by reason of the oyev (enemy) and avenger.

^17 (18) All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten Thee, neither have we dealt falsely in Thy Brit.

^18 (19) Libenu (our heart) is not turned back, neither have our steps departed from Thy way;

^19 (20) Though Thou hast crushed us in the makom (place, home, haunt) of jackals, and covered us with the tzalmavet (shadow of death).

^20 (21) If we have forgotten the Shem of Eloheinu, or stretched out our palms [in worship] to an el zar (foreign g-d);

^21 (22) Shall not Elohim search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the lev.

^22 (23) Yes, for Thy sake are we killed kol hayom; we are counted as tzon (sheep) for the tivchah (slaughter).

^23 (24) Awake. Why sleepest Thou, Adonoi? Arise, cast us not off lanetzach (forever).

^24 (25) Why hidest Thou Thy face, and forgettest our oni (misery, affliction) and our oppression?

^25 (26) For our nefesh is bowed down to the aphar (dust); our beten (belly, body) has deveykus with the dirt.

^26 (27) Arise for our help, and redeem us for the sake of Thy chesed.

45 (For the one directing upon Shoshannim, for the Bnei Korach. A Maskil. Shir yedidot, i.e., a love song). My lev is stirred with davar tov; I speak my verses to HaMelech; my leshon (tongue) is the et (pen, stylus) of a sofer mahir (ready scribe, skillful writer).

^2 (3) Thou art fairer than Bnei Adam; chen (grace, favor) is poured upon Thy sfatayim (lips); therefore Elohim hath blessed Thee l’olam. [T.N. The coming Messianic King is called Elohim [Ps 45:6(7)] just as this coming personage is called El Gibbor in Isa 9:5; see MJ 1:8; The Targumist renders Psa 45:2(3) as a reference to Moshiach.]

^3 (4) Gird Thy cherev upon Thy side, O Gibbor [See Isaiah 9:5(6)], with Thy hod (glory, splendor) and Thy hadar (majesty).

^4 (5) And in Thy hadar (majesty) ride forth victoriously for the sake of emes and anavah and tzedek; and Thy Yamin (Right Hand) shall guide Thee to nora’ot (things of awe).

^5 (6) Thine khitzim (arrows) are sharp in the lev oyvei HaMelech (in the heart of the King’s enemies); the Amim (nations) fall under Thee.

^6 (7) Thy kisse (throne), O Elohim, is olam va’ed; the shevet (sceptre) of Thy Malchut is a shevet of uprightness.

^7 (8) Thou lovest tzedek, and hatest resha; therefore Elohim, Eloheicha, hath anointed Thee with shemen sasson (the oil of gladness) above Thy chaverim.

^8 (9) All Thy robes smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia; out of the ivory heikhalim stringed instruments have made Thee glad.

^9 (10) Banot Melachim were among Thy ladies of honor; upon Thy Yamin (Right Hand) is stationed the Shegal (Queen consort, spouse of the reigning monarch) in golden jewelry of Ophir.

^10 (11) Pay heed, O Bat (daughter), and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy Bais Avi;

^11 (12) Then shall HaMelech be enthralled with thy beauty; since He is thy Adon, hishtachavi lo (bow to Him).

^12 (13) And the Bat Tzor (Tyre) shall be there with a minchah (gift); even the ashirim (rich ones) among the people shall entreat thy favor.

^13 (14) The Bat Melech is all glorious within; her clothing is zahav embroidered.

^14 (15) She shall be brought unto HaMelech in woven apparel; the betulot (virgins), her companions that follow her, shall be brought unto Thee.

^15 (16) With simchah and gladness shall they be led forth; they shall enter into the Heikhal Melech.

^16 (17) Instead of thy avot shall be thy sons, whom thou mayest make sarim (princes) in kol ha’aretz.

^17 (18) I will make Thy Shem to be remembered kol dor vador; therefore shall the Amim (nations) praise Thee l’olam va’ed.

46 (For the one directing. Of the Bnei Korach. Al- alamot [after the manner of virgins, i.e., in the treble]. Shir.) Elohim is our refuge and strength, a very present help in tzoros.

^2 (3) Therefore we will not fear, though eretz be shaken, and though the harim (mountains) fall into the lev yamim (heart of the seas);

^3 (4) Though the mayim thereof roar and be troubled, though the harim shake with the surging thereof. Selah.

^4 (5) There is a nahar (river), the streams whereof shall make glad the Ir Elohim, the Kedosh Mishkenei Elyon (the holy dwelling of the Most High).

^5 (6) Elohim is in the midst of it [i.e., the Ir Elohim}; it shall not be moved; Elohim shall help it at early boker.

^6 (7) The Goyim raged, the kingdoms totter; He uttered His voice, eretz melted.

^7 (8) Hashem Tzva’os is with us; Elohei Ya’akov is our stronghold. Selah.

^8 (9) Come, behold the works of Hashem, what desolations He hath made in ha’aretz.

^9 (10) He maketh milchamot to cease unto the end of ha’aretz; He breaketh the keshet (bow), and cutteth the khanit (spear); He burneth the chariots in the eish.

^10 (11) Be still, and know that I am Elohim: I will be exalted among the Goyim, I will be exalted in ha’aretz.

^11 (12) Hashem Tzva’os is with us; Elohei Ya’akov is our stronghold. Selah.

47 (For the one directing. Of the Bnei Korach. A Mizmor.) O clap your hands, all ye nations; shout unto Elohim with the voice of joy.

^2 (3) For Hashem Elyon is awesome; He is Melech Gadol over kol ha’aretz.

^3 (4) He shall subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our raglayim.

^4 (5) He shall choose nachalateinu for us, the ga’on Ya’akov (pride, glory of Jacob) whom He loves. Selah.

^5 (6) Elohim is ascended with a shout of joy, Hashem with the sound of a shofar.

^6 (7) Sing praises to Elohim, sing praises; sing praises unto Malkeinu, sing praises.

^7 (8) For Melech kol ha’aretz is He; sing ye praises with understanding.

^8 (9) Elohim reigneth over the Goyim; Elohim sitteth upon the Kisse Kadsho.

^9 (10) The princes of the nations are gathered together, even the Am Elohei Avraham; for the moginei Eretz (shields of the Earth) belong unto Elohim; He is greatly exalted.

48 (Shir. Mizmor. Of the Bnei Korach.) Gadol is Hashem, and greatly to be praised in the Ir Eloheinu, in His Har Kodesh.

^2 (3) Yafeh in its loftiness, the joy of kol ha’aretz, is Mt Tziyon, on the sides of the north, the City of Melech Rav.

^3 (4) Elohim is in her citadels, known as her fortress.

^4 (5) For, hinei, the melachim were assembled, they advanced together.

^5 (6) They saw, and ken (thus) they marvelled; they were troubled, and fled.

^6 (7) Trembling took hold upon them sham (there), and pain, as of a woman in labor.

^7 (8) Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

^8 (9) As we have heard, so have we seen in the Ir Hashem Tzvaos, in the Ir Eloheinu; Elohim will establish it ad olam. Selah.

^9 (10) We meditate on Thy chesed, O Elohim, in the midst of Thy Heikhal.

^10 (11) According to Thy Shem, O Elohim, so is Thy tehillah unto the ends of ha’aretz; Thy right hand is full of tzedek.

^11 (12) Let Mt Tziyon rejoice, let the Banot Yehudah (Daughters of Judah) be glad, because of Thy mishpatim.

^12 (13) Walk about Tziyon, and go around her; count the towers thereof.

^13 (14) Mark ye well her ramparts, consider her citadels; that ye may tell it to the dor acharon.

^14 (15) For this Elohim is Eloheinu olam vaed; He will be our guide even unto death. [T.N. Notice v.8(9)-9(10) in Psa 49, which tells why Moshiach can not be a mere man, in which case he could not redeem another, or be Hashem’s Isa 53 redemption lamb or the Isa 53 sa’ir l’azazel kapporah.]

49 (For the one directing. A Mizmor for the Bnei Korach). Hear this, kol HaAmim; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the cheled (world, duration):

^2 (3) Bnei Adam and bnei ish, ashir (rich) and evyon (poor) alike,

^3 (4) My mouth shall speak chochmot; and the meditation of my lev tevunot (understanding).

^4 (5) I will incline mine ear to a mashal; I will disclose my dark saying upon the kinnor (harp).

^5 (6) Why should I fear in the days of rah, when the avon (iniquity) of my akev (supplanters, deceivers) surrounds me?

^6 (7) They that trust in their chayil (wealth), and boast themselves in the rov of their oshir (riches);

^7 (8) A brother cannot by any means redeem ish (man), nor give to Elohim a kofer (ransom) for him—

^8 (9) For the pidyon [ransom] of their nefesh is costly, and is forever beyond their power to pay—

^9 (10) That he should live on lanetzach, and not see shachat (corruption, decay, the pit [cf Psa16:10]).

^10 (11) For he seeth that chachamim die, likewise the kesil (foolish) and the ba’ar (brutish, senseless person, dolt) perish, and leave their chayil (wealth) to others.

^11 (12) Their inward thought is, that their batim (houses) shall continue l’olam and their mishkenot (dwelling places) l’odor vador; though they call their lands by their shmot (names).

^12 (13) Nevertheless adam in his pomp endureth not; he is like the behemot (beasts) that perish.

^13 (14) This is their derech, kesel (folly, imprudent confidence) is theirs; and the fate after them of those who approve their words.

^14 (15) Like tzon they are destined for She’ol; mavet shall pasture them; and the yesharim (upright ones) shall have dominion over them in the boker; and their tzir (form) shall waste away to Sheol, so there is no dwelling place for it.

^15 (16) But Elohim will redeem my nefesh from the yad (hand, power) of Sheol; for He shall receive me. Selah.

^16 (17) Be not thou afraid when one is made an ish oishir, when the kavod of his bais is increased;

^17 (18) For in his mot (death), he shall carry nothing away; his kavod (glory, wealth) shall not descend after him.

^18 (19) Though his nefesh during his life yevarech (he blessed)—for they praise thee when thou doest well for thyself—

^19 (20) He shall go to the dor (generation) of his avot; they shall never see ohr (light).

^20 (21) Adam that is in his pomp, and understandeth not, is like the behemot (beasts) that perish.

50 (Mizmor of Asaph) El Elohim, even Hashem, hath spoken, and called Eretz from the mizrach shemesh (rising of sun) unto the going down thereof.

² Out of Tziyon, the perfection of yofi, Elohim shineth forth.

³ Eloheinu shall come, and shall not keep silent; an eish shall devour before Him, and it shall be tempestuous me’od round about Him.

⁴ He shall summon Shomayim from above, and ha’aretz, that He may judge His people.

⁵ Gather My chasidim together unto Me; those that have cut a Brit (covenant) with Me by zevach (blood sacrifice, T.N. cf Gn 4:5 on the true Jewish religion).

⁶ And Shomayim shall declare His tzedek; for Elohim Shofet hu. Selah.

⁷ Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Yisroel, and I will testify against thee; I am Elohim, even Eloheicha.

⁸ I will not reprove thee for thy zevakhim. And thy olot are before Me tamid.

⁹ I will accept no par (bull) from thy bais, nor he-goats out of thy folds.

¹⁰ For every beast of the ya’ar (forest) is Mine, and the behemot upon a thousand hills.

¹¹ I know kol oph (every bird) of the harim; and the animals of the wild are Mine.

¹² If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; for the tevel is Mine, and the fulness thereof.

¹³ Will I eat the basar of bulls, or drink the dahm of goats?

¹⁴ Sacrifice unto Elohim todah; and pay thy nedarim (vows, pledges) unto Elyon;

¹⁵ And call upon Me in the Yom Tzarah; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.

¹⁶ But unto the rasha, Elohim saith, What right hast thou to declare My chukkot, or that thou shouldest take My Brit in thy mouth?

¹⁷ Seeing thou hatest musar (correction), and casteth My devarim behind thee.

¹⁸ When thou sawest a ganav (thief), then thou consentedst with him, and hast taken thy chelek (lot) with mena’afim (adulterers).

¹⁹ Thou lettest loose thy mouth to ra’ah, and thy leshon frameth mirmah (deceit).

²⁰ Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own ben immecha.

²¹ These things hast thou done, and I kept silent; thou thoughtest that I was altogether like thee; but I will reprove thee, and set the charge before thine eyes.

²² Now consider this, ye that forget Elo’ah (G-d), lest I tear you to pieces, and there be none to rescue.

²³ Whoso offereth todah glorifieth Me; and to him that ordereth his derech aright will I show the Salvation of Elohim.

51 (For the one directing. Mizmor Dovid. When Natan HaNavi confronted him after he went into Bat- Sheva—2Sm. 11:2) Have mercy upon me, O Elohim, according to Thy chesed; according unto the multitude of Thy rachamim blot out my peysha’im (transgressions, rebellions).

^2 (4) Wash me thoroughly from mine avon (iniquity), and cleanse me from my chattat (sin).

^3 (5) For I acknowledge my peysha’im (transgressions, rebellions); and my chattat (sin) is ever before me.

^4 (6) Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done the rah in Thy sight; that Thou mightest be found just when Thou speakest, and be blameless when Thou judgest.

^5 (7) Surely, I was brought forth in avon; and in chet did immi conceive me [i.e., I was a sinner from conception].

^6 (8) Surely Thou desirest emes in the inward parts; and in the inmost place Thou shalt make me to know chochmah.

^7 (9) Purge me with ezov (hyssop), and I shall be tahor; wash me, and I shall be whiter than sheleg (snow).

^8 (10) Make me to hear sasson and simchah; that the atzmot which Thou hast broken may rejoice.

^9 (11) Hide Thy face from my chatta’im, and blot out all mine avonot.

^10 (12) Create in me a lev tahor, O Elohim; and renew a ruach nekhon (steadfast spirit [i.e., regeneration Ezek 36:26; Yn 3:3,6]) within me.

^11 (13) Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Ruach Hakodesh from me.

^12 (14) Restore unto me the sasson of Thy salvation; and uphold me with a ruach nedivah (a willing spirit; see Jer 31:31-34).

^13 (15) Then will I teach poshe’im (transgressors) Thy drakhim; and chatta’im (sinners) shall be converted [have a spiritual turnaround; see Isa 6:10] unto Thee.

^14 (16) Save me from damim (bloodguiltiness), O Elohim, Thou Elohei Teshuati; and my leshon shall sing aloud of Thy tzedakah.

^15 (17) Adonoi, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth Thy tehillah (praise).

^16 (18) For Thou desirest not zevach (sacrifice); else would I give it; Thou delightest not in olah (burnt offering).

^17 (19) The zivkhei Elohim are a ruach nishbarah (broken spirit); a broken and contrite lev, O Elohim, Thou wilt not despise.

^18 (20) Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Tziyon; build Thou the chomot Yerushalayim.

^19 (21) Then shalt Thou be pleased with zivkhei tzedek (true sacrifices, sacrifices of righteousness), with olah (burnt offering) and whole burnt offering; then shall they offer parim (bulls) upon Thine Mizbe’ach. [T.N. This Psalm, Ps 51, teaches the doctrine of Chet Kadmon from which comes the seminal corrupting human condition necessitating hitkhadshut for all fallen Bnei Adam]

52 (For the one directing. A maskil of Dovid. When Doeg HaAdomi [the Edomite] went to Sha’ul and said to him, Dovid has gone to Bais Achimelech). Why boastest thou thyself in ra’ah, O gibbor? The chesed El is kol hayom.

^2 (4) The leshon (tongue) deviseth treachery; like a sharp ta’ar (razor), working remiyyah (deceit).

^3 (5) Thou lovest rah more than tov; and sheker rather than to speak tzedek. Selah.

^4 (6) Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou leshon mirmah (deceitful tongue).

^5 (7) El shall likewise demolish thee for netzach (eternity), He shall break thee, and pluck thee out of thy ohel, and uproot thee out of the Eretz Chayyim. Selah.

^6 (8) The tzaddikim also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

^7 (9) Hinei, this is the gever (man) that made not Elohim his ma’oz; but trusted in the abundance of his osher (riches), and strengthened himself in his treachery.

^8 (10) But I am like a green zayit (olive tree) in the Beis Elohim; I trust in the chesed Elohim olam va’ed.

^9 (11) I will give Thee thanks l’olam, because Thou hast done it; and I will wait on Shimecha; for it is tov before Thy chasidim.

53 (For the one directing. According to ma’alot. Maskil of Dovid). The naval (fool) hath said in his lev, Ein Elohim (There is no G-d). Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none that doeth tov.

^2 (3) Elohim looked down from Shomayim upon Bnei Adam, to see if there were any of seichel, that did seek Elohim.

^3 (4) Every one of them has fallen away; they are altogether perverse; there is none that doeth tov, no, not echad (one).

^4 (5) Have the workers of iniquity no da’as? Who eat up My people as they eat lechem; they have not called upon Elohim.

^5 (6) There were they in great pachad (fear), pachad such as never was; for Elohim hath scattered the atzmot of him that encampeth against thee; thou [Yisroel] hast put them to shame, because Elohim hath rejected them.

^6 (7) Oh that the Yeshuat Yisroel would come out of Tziyon! When Elohim bringeth back the captivity of Amo (His people), Ya’akov shall rejoice, and Yisroel shall be glad.

54 (For the director. With stringed instruments. A maskil. For Dovid, when the Ziphim came and said to Sha’ul, Dovid is in hiding among us.) Hoshieini (save me), O Elohim, by Shimecha, and vindicate me by Thy gevurah (might, power).

^2 (4) Hear my tefillah, O Elohim; give ear to the words of my mouth.

^3 (5) For zarim (strangers) are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my nefesh; they have not set Elohim before them. Selah.

^4 (6) Hinei, Elohim is mine Ozer (helper); Adonoi is with them that uphold my nefesh.

^5 (7) He shall recompense the rah (evil) unto mine enemies; in Thy emes cut them off.

^6 (8) I will sacrifice a nedavah (freewill offering) unto Thee; I will praise Shimecha, Hashem; for it is tov (good).

^7 (9) For He hath delivered me out of all my tzoros; and mine eye hath looked in triumph upon mine oyevim (enemies.)

55 (For the one directing. With Neginos. Maskil of Dovid) Give ear to my tefillah, O Elohim; and veil not Thyself from my techinnah (supplication).

^2 (3) Attend unto me, and hear me; I wander restlessly in my si’ach (anxiety), and aloud I groan;

^3 (4) Because of the voice of the oyev (enemy), because of the oppression of the rasha (evildoer); for they cast aven (iniquity) upon me, and in af (wrath, anger) cherish their malice against me.

^4 (5) My lev writhes within me; and the terrors of mavet are fallen upon me.

^5 (6) Yirah va’ra’ad (fear and trembling) are come upon me, and pallatzut (horror, shuddering) overwhelmed me.

^6 (7) And I said, Oh that I had wings like a yonah! For then would I fly away and be at rest.

^7 (8) Hinei, then would I flee far off and lodge in the midbar. Selah.

^8 (9) I would hasten to my place of shelter from the ruach so’ah (wind of the tempest) and storm.

^9 (10) Destroy, Adonoi, and confuse their leshon; for I see chamas (violence) and riv (strife) in the Ir (city, i.e., Jerusalem).

^10 (11) Yomam and lailah they go about her [Yerushalayim] upon the chomot thereof; aven also and amal are in the midst of her [Yerushalayim].

^11 (12) Ruin is in the midst thereof; oppression and mirmah (guile, fraud, deceit) depart not from her rechov.

^12 (13) For it was not an oyev (enemy) that reproached me; then I could bear it; neither was it he that had sinah (hatred) for me that did exalt himself against me; then I could have hid myself from him;

^13 (14) But it was thou, an enosh (a man) equally [valued with myself], my aluf (intimate, friend), and me’yuda’i (deep acquaintance, familiar friend, see Psalm 41:9)

^14 (15) Together we took sweet sod (intimate conversation, fellowship, counsel), and walked unto the Beis Elohim with the throng.

^15 (16) Let mavet seize upon them, and let them go down chayyim into Sheol; for ra’ot (evils) are in their dwellings, and among them.

^16 (17) As for me, I will call upon Elohim; and Hashem shall save me.

^17 (18) Erev, and boker, and at tzohorayim (noon), will I pray, and cry aloud; and He shall hear my kol (voice).

^18 (19) He hath redeemed my nefesh in shalom from the battle that was against me; for there were rabbim against me.

^19 (20) El (G-d) shall hear, and afflict them, even He that abideth kedem (of old, forever). Selah. Because they do not change, therefore they fear not Elohim.

^20 (21) He [the faithless friend of verse 13-14] hath laid his hands on such as are at shalom with him; he hath broken his Brit.

^21 (22) The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his lev; his devarim were softer than shemen, yet they were drawn swords.

^22 (23) Cast thy burden upon Hashem, and He shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the tzaddik to be moved.

^23 (24) But Thou, O Elohim, shalt bring them down into the pit of shachat; anshei damim umirmah (bloody and deceitful men) shall not live out half their yamim; but I will trust in Thee.

56 (For the director. Set to The Silent, Distant Yonah. Of Dovid. A mikhtam—when the Pelishtim seized him in Gat.) Chaneini (be merciful) unto me, O Elohim: for enosh (man) tramples upon me; kol hayom they press their attack against me.

^2 (3) Mine adversaries kol hayom trample me; for they be rabbim that fight against me, Marom (Most High).

^3 (4) What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.

^4 (5) In Elohim I will praise His Word [See Yn 1:1,14]. In Elohim I have put my trust; I will not fear what basar can do unto me.

^5 (6) Kol hayom they twist my words; all their machsh’vot (thoughts) are against me for rah (evil).

^6 (7) They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they are shomer over my steps, when they wait for my nefesh.

^7 (8) Shall they escape by iniquity? In Thine anger cast down the amim (peoples), O Elohim.

^8 (9) Thou hast acted as a sofer, recording my wanderings; put Thou my tears into Thy wineskin; are they not in Thy Sefer (Book)?

^9 (10) On the day when I cry unto Thee, then shall mine oyevim turn back; of this I have da’as; for Elohim is for me [Ro 8:31].

^10 (11) In Elohim will I praise His Word; in Hashem will I praise His Word [Yn 1:1; Mishlei 30:4; Ps 33:6; Mishlei 8:30].

^11 (12) In Elohim have I put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can adam do unto me?

^12 (13) Thy nederim are upon me, O Elohim; I will render todot (thank offerings) unto Thee.

^13 (14) For Thou hast delivered my nefesh from mavet (death). Wilt not Thou deliver my feet from stumblimg, that I may walk before Elohim in the Ohr HaChayyim (the light of the living)?

57 (For the one directing. Set to Do Not Destroy. Mikhtam of Dovid, when he had fled from Sha’ul into the me’arah [cave]). Channeni, O Elohim, channeni; for my nefesh taketh refuge in Thee; yes, in the tzel (shadow) of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these devastations pass by.

^2 (3) I will cry out unto Elohim Elyon; unto El that fulfilleth all things for me.

^3 (4) He shall send from Shomayim, and save me from the disgrace of him that would swallow me up. Selah. Elohim shall send forth His chesed (lovingkindness) and His emes (truth).

^4 (5) My nefesh is among lions, and I lie even among them that devour Bnei Adam, whose shinayim (teeth) are spears and khitzim (arrows), and their leshon a sharp cherev.

^5 (6) Be Thou exalted, O Elohim, above Shomayim; let Thy kavod be above kol ha’aretz.

^6 (7) They have prepared a reshet (net) for my steps; my nefesh is bowed down; they have dug a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

^7 (8) My lev is nachon (steadfast), O Elohim, my lev is nachon; I will sing and make music.

^8 (9) Awake, my kavod (glory, soul, life); awake, nevel and kinnor; I myself will awake the shachar (dawn).

^9 (10) I will give thanks unto Thee, Adonoi, among the peoples; I will sing of Thee among the peoples.

^10 (11) For Thy chesed is gadol unto Shomayim, and Thy emes unto the heights.

^11 (12) Be Thou exalted, O Elohim, above Shomayim; let Thy kavod be above kol ha’aretz (all the earth).

58 (For the one directing. Set to Do Not Destroy. Mikhtam Dovid). Do ye indeed decree tzedek, O elim (g-ds, Ex 22:28[27])? Do ye judge uprightly the Bnei Adam?

^2 (3) No, in lev (heart) ye work wickedness; ye weigh out the chamas (violence) of your hands in Ha’Aretz.

^3 (4) The resha’im are perverted from the rekhem (womb); gone astray from birth are they, speaking kazav (lie, falsehood).

^4 (5) Their venom is like the venom of a nachash; they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth its ear;

^5 (6) That it may not pay heed to the voice of charmers, casting spells ever so cunningly.

^6 (7) Break their teeth, O Elohim, in their mouth; tear out the fangs of the young lions, Hashem.

^7 (8) Let them melt away like draining mayim; when he bendeth his bow to shoot his khitzim (arrows), let them be crumbled to pieces.

^8 (9) As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away; like the stillborn child of an isha, that they may not see the shemesh.

^9 (10) Before your sirot (pots) can feel the burning thorns, may He with a whirlwind blow them away, both green and dry alike.

^10 (11) The tzaddik shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance; he shall wash feet in the dahm harasha.

^11 (12) So that adam shall say, Verily there is a reward for the tzaddik; verily yesh Elohim Shofetim ba’aretz (there is a G-d that judgeth in the earth).

59 (For the one directing. Set to Do Not Destroy. Mikhtam Dovid. When Sha’ul sent and they watched [Dovid’s] bais to kill him) Save me from mine enemies, O Elohai; protect me from them that rise up against me.

² Deliver me from the po’alei aven (workers of iniquity), and save me from anshei damim (bloody men).

³ For, hinei, they lie in wait for my nefesh; the fierce stir up strife against me; not for my peysha, nor for my chattat, Hashem.

⁴ They run and prepare themselves without my avon (wrong, fault); awake to help me, and see.

⁵ Thou therefore, Hashem Elohim Tzva’os, Elohei Yisroel, rouse Thyself to visit [in punishment] kol HaGoyim; be not merciful to any bogedei aven (wicked boged [traitor]). Selah.

⁶ They return at erev; they growl like a kelev (dog), and prowl around the Ir.

⁷ Hinei, they belch out with their mouth; charavot (swords) are in their sfatot (lips); for who, say they, doth hear?

⁸ But Thou, Hashem, shalt laugh at them; Thou shalt have all the Goyim in derision.

⁹ O my Strength, I will be shomer to watch for Thee; for Elohim is my stronghold.

¹⁰ The G-d of my chesed shall come to meet me; Elohim shall let me see [the end] of my shorer (watchers, [i.e., slandering foes insidiously fixated on me and lying in wait]).

¹¹ Slay them not, lest my people forget; scatter them by Thy power; and bring them down, Adonoi mogineinu (our Shield).

¹² For the chattat of their mouth and the davar of their sfatayim let them even be caught in their ga’on (pride); and for the cursing and lying which they speak.

¹³ Consume them in chemah (wrath), consume them, till they are no more; and let them know that Elohim ruleth in Ya’akov unto the ends of ha’aretz. Selah.

¹⁴ And at erev let them return; and let them growl like a kelev, and prowl around the Ir.

¹⁵ Let them wander up and down for okhel (food), and howl if they be not satisfied.

¹⁶ But I will sing of Thy oz; yes, I will sing aloud of Thy chesed in the boker; for Thou hast been my stronghold and refuge in the day of my tzoros.

¹⁷ Unto Thee, O my Strength, will I sing; for Elohim is my strongold, and the Elohim of my chesed.

60 (For the one directing. Set to The Shushan of the Edut. Mikhtam Dovid to instruct. When he fought Aram Naharayim and Aram Tzovah and when Yo’av returned and struck down 12,000 of Edom in the Gey Melach.) O Elohim, Thou hath rejected us, scattered us; Thou hast been angry; O restore us!

^2 (4) Thou hast made eretz to tremble; Thou hast torn it asunder, heal the fractures thereof; for it tottereth.

^3 (5) Thou hast showed Thy people kashah (hard times); Thou hast made us to drink the yayin of tarelah (bewilderment, reeling).

^4 (6) Thou hast set up a nes (banner) to them that fear Thee, that it may be unfurled on account of the truth. Selah.

^5 (7) That Thy Yedidot (beloved ones) may be saved; save with Thy Yamin (Right Hand) and hear me.

^6 (8) Elohim hath spoken in His Kodesh (Holiness); I will exult, I will parcel Shechem as chelek, and measure out the Valley of Sukkot.

^7 (9) Gil‘ad is Mine, and Menasheh is Mine; Ephrayim also is the ma’oz of Mine Rosh; Yehudah is My Mekhokek (prescriber of laws, lawgiver; see Gn 49:10; Isa 42:4 on Moshiach’s torah).

^8 (10) Moav is My washpot; over Edom will I cast My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.

^9 (11) Who will bring me to the Ir Matzon (city of fortification)? Who will bring me to Edom?

^10 (12) Wilt not Thou, O Elohim, which hadst cast us off? And Thou, O Elohim, which didst not go out with tzivoteinu (our armies)?

^11 (13) Give us help against the enemy; for vain is the teshuat adam (help, salvation of or from Man).

^12 (14) In Elohim shall we obtain the victory; for He it is that shall tread down tzareinu (our enemies, oppressors).

61 (For the one directing. With stringed instruments. Of Dovid). Hear my cry, Elohim; attend unto my tefillah.

^2 (3) From the end of ha’aretz will I call unto Thee, when my lev is overwhelmed; lead me to the Tzur that is higher than I.

^3 (4) For Thou hast been a refuge for me, and a migdal oz (tower of strength) from the enemy.

^4 (5) I will abide in Thy ohel forever; I will take refuge in the covert of Thy wings. Selah.

^5 (6) For Thou, Elohim, hast heard my nederim; Thou hast given me the yerushat yirei Shemecha (inheritance of those that fear Thy Name).

^6 (7) Thou wilt prolong days of the Melech, and his shanot dor vador.

^7 (8) He shall abide before Elohim forever; O appoint chesed and emes, to preserve him.

^8 (9) So will I sing praise unto Shimecha forever, that I may yom yom (daily) perform my nederim.

62 (For the one directing. According to Yedutun. Mizmor of Dovid.) Truly my nefesh waiteth silently [in submission] upon Elohim; from Him cometh my Yeshuah (salvation).

^2 (3) Truly He is my Tzur and my Yeshuah (salvation); He is my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

^3 (4) How long will ye rush to attack an ish? To thrust at, all of you, as at a leaning kir (wall), and as at a tottering gader (fence).

^4 (5) Truly they consult to bring down a person of prominence; they delight in kazav (lie, falsehood, deceptive thing); they make a brocha with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

^5 (6) Truly in Elohim wait silently [in submission], my nefesh, for my tikvah (hope) is from Him.

^6 (7) Truly He is my Tzur and my Yeshuah (salvation); He is my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.

^7 (8) In Elohim is my salvation and my Kavod: the Tzur of my strength, and my refuge, is in Elohim.

^8 (9) Trust in Him at all time; ye people, pour out your lev before Him; Elohim is a refuge for us. Selah.

^9 (10) Truly Bnei Adam (those of low estate) are hevel (vanity), and Bnei Ish (those who are highborn) are kazav (a lie); they go up in the balances; they are altogether lighter than hevel (vanity).

^10 (11) Trust not in oshek (oppression, extortion) and become not vain in gazel (the thing taken as plunder); if riches increase, set not your lev upon them.

^11 (12) Elohim hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that oz (strength) belongeth unto Elohim.

^12 (13) Also unto Thee, Adonoi, belongeth chesed; for Thou renderest to ish (every man) according to his ma’asim (deeds).

63 (Mizmor Dovid. When he was in the midbar Yehudah). O Elohim, Thou art Eli; early will I seek Thee; my nefesh thirsteth for Thee; my basar longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no mayim is;

^2 (3) To see Thy oz (might, power) and Thy kavod, as I have beheld Thee in the Kodesh (holy place, sanctuary).

^3 (4) Because Thy chesed is better than chayyim, my lips shall praise Thee.

^4 (5) Thus will I bless Thee while I live; I will lift up my hands b’Shimcha (in Thy Name.)

^5 (6) My nefesh shall be satisfied as with chelev (fat) and deshen (abundance); and my mouth shall praise Thee with lips of joyful singing;

^6 (7) When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the ashmurot (night watches).

^7 (8) Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the tzel (shadow) of Thy wings will I sing with joy.

^8 (9) My nefesh followeth hard after Thee; Thy Yamin (Right Hand) upholdeth me.

^9 (10) But those that seek my nefesh, to destroy it, shall go into the abysses of ha’aretz.

^10 (11) They deliver him into the power of the cherev; they shall be a portion for jackals.

^11 (12) But HaMelech shall rejoice in Elohim; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory; but the mouth of them that speak sheker shall be stopped.

64 (For the one directing. Mizmor of Dovid). Hear my voice, O Elohim, in my si’akh (complaint); preserve my life from the pachad (terror) of the oyev (enemy).

^2 (3) Hide me from the sod (secret counsel, conspiracy) of the re’im; from the rigshah (insurrection, noisy crowd, assembly) of the workers of iniquity;

^3 (4) Who whet their tongue like a cherev, and aim their khitzim (arrows), even davar mar (bitter words);

^4 (5) That they may shoot in secret at the tam (innoent); pitom (suddenly) do they shoot at him, and fear not.

^5 (6) They encourage themselves in a davar rah (an evil plan); they speak in order to set mokshim (snares, hidden traps); they say, Who shall see them?

^6 (7) Or search out their iniquities? They have accomplished a cunningly devised plot; for the mind of ish (man) and the lev (heart) are deep,

^7 (8) But Elohim shall shoot at them with a khetz (arrow); pitom (suddenly) shall their wounds be.

^8 (9) So the leshon of them will bring ruin upon them; all that see them shall shake their head.

^9 (10) And kol adam shall fear, and shall declare the po’al Elohim (work of G-d); for they shall ponder His ma’aseh.

^10 (11) The tzaddik shall be glad in Hashem, and shall take refuge in Him; and all the yishrei lev (upright of heart) shall glory.

65 (For the one directing. Mizmor Dovid. Shir). Tehillah (praise) is due Thee, O Elohim, in Tziyon; And unto Thee shall the neder (vow) be performed.

^2 (3) O Thou that hearest tefillah (prayer), unto Thee shall kol basar come.

^3 (4) Divrei avonot (instances of iniquity) overwhelm me; as for peysha’einu (our transgressions), Thou hast made kapporah for them.

^4 (5) Ashrei is the one whom Thou choosest, and causest to come near unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy khatzerot; we shall be satisfied with the tov of Thy Beis, even of Thy Heikhal Kodesh.

^5 (6) By nora’ot (awesome deeds, awe-inspiring things) of tzedek (justice) wilt Thou answer us, O Elohei Yish’einu (G-d of our salvation); Who art the hope of all the ends of eretz, and of them that are on the farthest seas;

^6 (7) Which by His ko’ach established the harim (mountains), being girded with gevurah;

^7 (8) Which stilleth the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the Amim (peoples, nations).

^8 (9) They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at Thy otot (signs); Thou makest the outgoing exits of boker and erev to resound with joy.

^9 (10) Thou visitest ha’aretz, and waterest it; Thou greatly enrichest it with the peleg Elohim (fountain of G-d), which is full of mayim; Thou preparest them dagan (grain), for so Thou didst prepare it.

^10 (11) Thou waterest the furrows thereof abundantly; Thou settlest the ridges thereof; Thou makest it soft with showers; Thou blessest the tzemach (sprout, branch, see Zech 6:12) thereof.

^11 (12) Thou crownest shnat tovatecha (the year with Thy goodness, bounty); and Thy paths drip with plenty.

^12 (13) They drip upon the pastures of the midbar; and the hills are enrobed with gladness.

^13 (14) The meadows are clothed with tzon; the amakim (valleys) also are covered over with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing.

66 (For the one directing. Shir. Mizmor.) Make a joyful shout unto Elohim, kol HaAretz;

² Sing forth the kavod Shmo; make kavod (glorious) His tehillah (praise).

³ Say unto Elohim, How norah (awesome) art Thou in Thy ma’asim (works)! Through the greatness of Thy oz (might) shall Thine oyevim cower before Thee.

⁴ Kol ha’aretz shall prostrate before Thee, and shall sing unto Thee; they shall sing praise to Shimecha. Selah.

⁵ Come and see the works of Elohim; He is norah (awesome) in deed toward Bnei Adam.

⁶ He turned the yam into yabashah (dry land; see Gn 1:10); they passed through the nahar on regel; there did we rejoice in Him.

⁷ He ruleth by His gevurah (power) olam (forever); His eyes are a watchman’s eyes over the Goyim; let not the sorerim (rebellious ones) exalt themselves. Selah.

⁸ Barchu Eloheinu, Amim, and make the kol (sound) of His tehillah (praise) to be heard.

⁹ He is the One who set nafsheinu in chayyim and does not permit ragleinu (our foot) to slip.

¹⁰ For Thou, Elohim, hath tested us and hast proved us; Thou hast put us in the crucible’s refining and refined us as kesef.

¹¹ Thou broughtest us into the metzudah (prison); Thou laidst a mu’akah (burden) upon our loins.

¹² Thou hast caused enosh (mankind) to ride over rosheinu (our head); we went through eish and through mayim; but Thou broughtest us out into plenty.

¹³ I will come into Thy Beis [HaMikdash] with olot; I will fulfill for Thee my nedarim,

¹⁴ Which my sfatayim have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in tzoros.

¹⁵ I will offer unto Thee olot mekhim (burnt offerings of fat animals), with the ketoret (incense, offering) of rams; I will offer bakar with goats. Selah.

¹⁶ Come and hear, Kol Yirei Elohim, and I will declare what He hath done for my nefesh.

¹⁷ I cried unto Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my leshon.

¹⁸ If I regard avon (iniquity, sin) in my lev, Adonoi will not hear me;

¹⁹ But surely Elohim hath heard me; He hath attended to the kol tefillati (voice of my prayer).

²⁰ Baruch Elohim, Who hath not turned away my tefillah, nor His chesed from me.

67 (For the one directing. On Neginot. With stringed instruments. Mizmor. Shir.) Elohim be channun (gracious) unto us, and put a brocha upon us; and may He make His face to shine upon us. Selah.

^2 (3) That Thy Derech may be known upon HaAretz, Thy Yeshuah (salvation) among kol Goyim.

^3 (4) Let the Amim praise Thee, O Elohim; let kol Amim praise Thee.

^4 (5) O let the peoples be glad and sing for joy, for Thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the peoples upon HaAretz. Selah.

^5 (6) Let the people praise Thee, O Elohim; let kol Amim praise Thee.

^6 (7) Then shall eretz yield her yevul (increase, produce, harvest); and Elohim, even Eloheinu, shall put a brocha upon us.

^7 (8) Elohim shall bless us; and kol afsei aretz (all the ends of the earth) shall fear Him.

68 (For the one directing. Of Dovid. Mizmor. Shir.) Let Elohim arise, let His oyevim be scattered; let them also that hate Him flee before Him.

^2 (3) As ashan (smoke) is blown away, so drive them away; as wax melteth before the eish, so let the resha’im perish at the presence of Elohim.

^3 (4) But let the tzaddikim have simchah; let them rejoice before Elohim; and, let them rejoice with simchah.

^4 (5) Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to Shmo; extol Him that rideth on the clouds by Shmo Hashem, and rejoice before Him.

^5 (6) Avi yetomim (father of orphans), and a dayan (judge) of almanot (widows), is Elohim in His Ma’on Kodesh.

^6 (7) Elohim setteth the yechidim (alone ones) in a family; He bringeth out those which are asirim (prisoners, those bound with chains); but the sorerim (rebels) dwell in a dry land.

^7 (8) O Elohim, when Thou wentest forth before Thy people, when Thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah;

^8 (9) Eretz shook, Shomayim also poured rain at the presence of Elohim; even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of Elohim, Elohei Yisroel.

^9 (10) Thou, O Elohim, didst send a plentiful geshem (rain), whereby Thou didst restore Thine nachalah, when it was parched.

^10 (11) Thy congregation hath dwelt therein; Thou, O Elohim, hast prepared of Thy bounty for the oni.

^11 (12) Adonoi gave the word; rav (great) was the tzava (company, army) of the mevaserot (heralds, those that published it, the lady evangelists).

^12 (13) Melachim of tzeva’ot (armies) shall flee, they flee; and she that tarried at home shall divide the plunder.

^13 (14) Though ye have lain among the cooking pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a yonah covered with kesef, and her feathers with glistening gold.

^14 (15) When Shaddai scattered melachim therein, it was white as snow in Tzalmon.

^15 (16) The Har Elohim is the Har Bashan; a mountain of peaks is the Har Bashan.

^16 (17) Why gaze ye in envy, ye many-peaked harim? This is the har which Elohim hath chosen to dwell in; indeed, Hashem will dwell in it lanetzach (forever).

^17 (18) The merkavot of Elohim are myriads, a thousand thousands; Adonoi is among them, as in Sinai, in kodesh (holiness).

^18 (19) Thou hast ascended on marom (high), Thou hast led captivity captive; Thou hast received mattanot among adam; yes, even from the sorerim (the rebellious) also, that Hashem Elohim might dwell [there].

^19 (20) Baruch Adonoi, Who yom yom bears us up, even HaEl Yeshuateinu (the G-d of our salvation). Selah.

^20 (21) Our G-d is a G-d who saves; and from Hashem Adonoi come escapes from mavet (death).

^21 (22) But Elohim shall shatter the rosh of His oyevim, and the hairy kodkod (crown of the head, scalp) of such a one as continueth on in his trespasses.

^22 (23) Adonoi said, I will bring back from Bashan, I will bring back from the depths of the sea;

^23 (24) That thy regel may be bathed in dahm, that the leshon of thy klavim (dogs) may partake of the oyevim.

^24 (25) They have seen Thy processions, O Elohim; even the goings of my G-d, my Melech, in the Kodesh.

^25 (26) The sharim (singers) went before, the nogenim (players on instruments) followed after; among them were the alamot (young unmarried virgins) playing timbrels.

^26 (27) Barchu Elohim in the congregations, even Hashem, out of the Makor Yisroel (Fountain of Israel).

^27 (28) There is Binyamin, the youngest at the head; the sarim (princes) of Yehudah and the throng of them, the sarim (princes) of Zevulun, and the sarim (princes) of Naphtali.

^28 (29) Eloheicha hath commanded thy oz; strengthen, O Elohim, that which Thou hast wrought for us.

^29 (30) Because of Thy Heikhal at Yerushalayim shall melachim bring offerings unto Thee.

^30 (31) Rebuke the company of spearmen, the adat (herd) of bulls, with the agalim (calves) of the nations, till every one prostrate himself with ingots of kesef; He scatters the people that delight in wars.

^31 (32) Magnates shall come out of Mitzrayim; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto Elohim.

^32 (33) Sing unto Elohim, ye mamlechot of ha’aretz; O sing praises unto Adonoi. Selah.

^33 (34) To Him that rideth upon the skies of Shomayim of old; lo, He doth send out His voice, and that a kol oz (mighty voice).

^34 (35) Ascribe ye oz (power) unto Elohim; His majesty is over Yisroel, and His oz is in the skies.

^35 (36) O Elohim, Thou art norah (awesome, terrible) out of Thy Mikdashim; the El (G-d) of Yisroel is He that giveth oz and strength unto His people. Baruch Elohim.

69 (For the one directing. Al Shoshanim. Of Dovid.) Hoshi’eini, O Elohim; for the mayim are come unto my nefesh (i.e., neck).

^2 (3) I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I am come into the depths of the mayim, where the floods overflow me.

^3 (4) I am weary of my crying out; my garon (throat) is dry; mine eyes fail while I wait for Elohai.

^4 (5) They that have sinas chinom (baseless hatred) toward me are more than the hairs of mine rosh; they that would destroy me, being mine oyevim (enemies) sheker (baselessly) are mighty; then I restored that which I did not steal.

^5 (6) O Elohim, Thou knowest my folly; and my ashmot (guiltinesses) are not hid from Thee.

^6 (7) Let not them that wait on Thee, Adonoi Hashem Tzva’os, be ashamed because of me; let not those that seek Thee be disgraced because of me, O Elohei Yisroel.

^7 (8) Because for Thy sake I have borne cherpah; shame hath covered my face.

^8 (9) I am become a stranger unto my achim, and a nochri (foreigner) unto the bnei immi (sons of my mother).

^9 (10) For kinas Beitcha (zeal for Thy House) hath consumed me; and the cherpot of them that scorned Thee are fallen upon me [Yn 2:17].

^10 (11) When I wept, and chastened my nefesh in the tzom (fast), that became my cherpot (reproaches).

^11 (12) I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a mashal (byword) to them.

^12 (13) They that sit [as judges] in the sha’ar (gate) speak against me; and I was the neginot (drinking songs) of the drunkards.

^13 (14) But as for me, may my tefillah be unto Thee, Hashem, in an et ratzon (acceptable time, time of favor); O Elohim, in the multitude of Thy chesed hear me, in the emes of Thy salvation.

^14 (15) Save me out of the teet (mire, clay, soil) and let me not sink; let me be saved from them that hate me, and out of the depths of the mayim.

^15 (16) Let not the floodwaters overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the be’er (pit) shut her mouth upon me.

^16 (17) Hear me, Hashem, for Thy chesed is tov; turn unto me according to the multitude of Thy rachamim;

^17 (18) And hide not Thy face from Thy eved; for I am in tzoros. Hear me speedily.

^18 (19) Draw near unto my nefesh, and make the go’el redemption of it; deliver me because of mine oyevim (enemies).

^19 (20) Thou hast known the cherpah (scorn) I bear, and my shame, and my dishonor; mine adversaries are all before Thee.

^20 (21) Reproach hath broken my lev; and I have sickness as unto death; and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for menachamim (comforters), but I found none.

^21 (22) They gave me also gall in my food; and in my tzamah (thirst) they gave me chometz (vinegar) to drink [See Mt.27:34,48; Mk.15:23,36; Lk.23:36 Yn.19:28-30 OJBC].

^22 (23) Let their shulchan become a pach (snare, trap) before them; and that which should have been for their shlomim (peacefulnesses), let it become a mokesh (trap).

^23 (24) Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins shake tamid.

^24 (25) Pour out Thine indignation upon them, and let Thy charon af (burning wrath) overtake them.

^25 (26) Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their ohalim [See Ac 1:20 OJBC].

^26 (27) For they persecute him whom Thou hast struck; and they tell of the makh’ov (pain, grief) of those whom Thou hast wounded.

^27 (28) Add avon (iniquity) unto their avon; and let them not come into Thy tzedakah.

^28 (29) Let them be blotted out of the Sefer Chayyim, and not be recorded with the tzaddikim.

^29 (30) But I am ani (poor) and in pain; let Thy Yeshuah (salvation), O Elohim, set me up on high.

^30 (31) I will praise Shem Elohim b’shir (in song), and will magnify Him with todah (thanksgiving).

^31 (32) This also shall please Hashem better than shor (ox) or bull that hath keren (horn) and parsah (hoof).

^32 (33) Those that have anavah (meekness, humility) shall see this, and have simchah; and your [pl.] lev shall live that seek Elohim.

^33 (34) For Hashem heareth the evyonim (needy ones, poor), and despiseth not His prisoners.

^34 (35) Let the Shomayim v’Aretz praise Him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

^35 (36) For Elohim yoshi’a (will save) Tziyon, and will build the cities of Yehudah; that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

^36 (37) The zera also of His avadim shall inherit it; and they that love Shmo shall dwell therein.

70 (For the one directing. Mizmor of Dovid. For the memorial portion of the minchah) Make haste, Elohim, to deliver me; make haste to help me, Hashem.

^2 (3) Let them have bushah and be confounded that seek my nefesh; let them be turned back, and be put to confusion, that desire my hurt.

^3 (4) Let them be turned back for a reward of their bushah that say, Aha, aha.

^4 (5) Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and have simcha in Thee; and let such as love Thy Yeshuah (salvation) say continually, Let Elohim be magnified.

^5 (6) But I am poor and needy; make haste unto me, Elohim; Thou art my help and my deliverer. Hashem, make no delay.

71 In Thee, Hashem, do I put my trust; let me not be put to shame l’olam.

² Deliver me in Thy tzedakah, and cause me to escape; incline Thine ear unto me, and hoshi’eini (save me).

³ Be Thou Tzur Ma’on (a rock of habitation), whereunto I may resort tamid (continually); Thou hast given commandment to save me; for Thou art my rock and my fortress.

⁴ Deliver me, O Elohai, out of the yad of the rasha, out of the palm of the unrighteous and cruel man.

⁵ For Thou art my tikveh (hope), Adonoi Hashem; Thou art my trust from my youth.

⁶ By Thee have I been upheld from the beten (womb); Thou art He that took me out of the womb of immi; my tehillah (praise) shall be of Thee tamid (continually).

⁷ I am as a mofet (portent) unto rabbim (many); but Thou art my strong refuge.

⁸ Let my mouth be filled with Thy tehillah (praise) and with Thy tiferet (glory) kol hayom.

⁹ Cast me not off in the time of ziknah (old age); forsake me not when my ko’ach faileth.

¹⁰ For mine oyevim speak against me; and they that lay in wait for my nefesh conspire together,

¹¹ Saying, Elohim hath forsaken him; persecute and lay hold of him; for there is none to rescue him.

¹² O Elohim, be not far from me; O Elohai, make haste for my help.

¹³ Let them be ashamed and consumed that are [satanic] adversaries to my nefesh; let them be covered with cherpah (reproach) and dishonor that seek my hurt.

¹⁴ But I will hope tamid (continually), and will yet give tehillah to Thee more and more.

¹⁵ My mouth shall proclaim Thy tzedakah and Thy Teshuah (salvation) kol hayom; for I know not the limits thereof.

¹⁶ I will come in the gevurot (mighty acts) of Adonoi Hashem; I will make mention of Thy tzedakah, even of Thine only.

¹⁷ O Elohim, Thou hast taught me from my youth; and hitherto have I declared Thy nifle’ot (wondrous works).

¹⁸ Now also when I am in ziknah (old age) and grayheaded, O Elohim, forsake me not; until I have declared Thy zero’a [Moshiach; see Isa 53:1] unto this generation, and Thy gevurah to everyone that is to come.

¹⁹ Thy tzedakah also, O Elohim, is ad marom (to the heights). Thou Who hast done gedolot (great things); O Elohim, mi khamocha (who is like unto Thee)?

²⁰ Thou, which hast showed me great and severe tzoros, shalt revive me again, and shalt bring me up again from the tehomot (abysses) of ha’aretz.

²¹ Thou shalt increase my gedolah, and comfort me on every side.

²² I will also praise Thee with the nevel (lyre), even Thy emes, O Elohai; unto Thee will I sing with the kinnor (harp), O Thou Kadosh Yisroel.

²³ My lips shall shout for joy when I sing unto Thee; and my nefesh, which Thou hast purchased for redemption.

²⁴ My leshon also shall tell of Thy tzedakah kol hayom; for they are brought unto shame, they are humiliated that seek my hurt.

72 (Of Sh’lomo). Give HaMelech Thy mishpatim, O Elohim, and Thy tzedakah unto the Ben Melech.

² He shall judge Thy people with tzedek, and Thy poor with mishpat.

³ The harim (mountains) shall bear shalom to the people, and geva’ot (hills) in tzedakah.

⁴ He shall judge the poor of the people; yoshia (He shall save) the bnei evyon (children of the needy), and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

⁵ They shall fear Thee as long as the shemesh and yarei’ach endure, dor dorim (throughout all generations).

⁶ He shall come down like matar (rain) upon the mown field, as showers watering eretz.

⁷ In his yamim shall the tzaddik flourish; and abundance of shalom so long as the yarei’ach endureth.

⁸ He [Moshiach Ben Dovid] shall have dominion also from yam to yam, and from nahar (river) unto the afsei eretz (the ends of the earth).

⁹ They that dwell in the desert shall bow before him; and his oyevim (enemies) shall lick the aphar (dust).

¹⁰ The melachim of Tarshish and of the iyim (islands) shall bring minchah (tribute); the melachim of Sheva and Seva shall offer gifts.

¹¹ Kol melachim shall fall down before him [Moshiach]; kol Goyim shall serve him.

¹² For he shall deliver the evyon (needy) when he crieth; the oni (poor, afflicted) also, and him that hath no ozer (helper).

¹³ He shall pity the weak and evyon (needy), and yoshi’a (he shall save) the nefashot of the evyonim (needy).

¹⁴ He shall be the Go’el Redeemer of their nefesh from deceit and chamas; and precious shall their dahm be in his sight.

¹⁵ And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the zahav of Sheva; and prayer shall be for him continually; and daily shall a brocha be made on him.

¹⁶ There shall be an abundance of grain on ha’aretz upon the top of the harim (mountains); the fruit thereof shall shake [in the trees like in] Levanon; and they of the city shall flourish like esev ha’aretz.

¹⁷ Shmo (His Name) shall endure l’olam; Shmo shall be continued as long as the shemesh; and men shall be blessed in him; kol Goyim shall call him blessed.

¹⁸ Baruch Hashem Elohim, Elohei Yisroel, who only doeth nifla’ot (wondrous things).

¹⁹ And baruch Shem kevodo l’olam (and blessed be His Glorious Name forever); and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Omein, and Omein.

²⁰ The tefillot Dovid Ben Yishai are ended. [T.N. The next Psalm concerns a revelation received in the Holy Place, namely the fate of the wicked whose prosperity is delusional since the riches of G-d’s house is wealth they can never attain to, revealing their true eternal poverty. See Ps 73:24 on afterlife in G-d’s presence.]

73 (Mizmor of Asaph). Truly Elohim is tov to Yisroel, even to the barei levav (pure of heart).

² But as for me, my raglayim had almost stumbled; my steps had well near slipped.

³ For I had kina (envy) of the holelim (arrogant ones), when I saw the shalom of the resha’im.

⁴ For there are no chartzubot (fetters, bonds, pains) in their mot; healthy is their belly.

⁵ They are not in amal (trouble) as enosh; neither are they plagued like adam.

⁶ Therefore ga’avah encircleth them like a chain necklace; chamas enwraps them like a garment.

⁷ Their eyes bulge with chelev; they have more than levav could imagine.

⁸ They mock, and speak wickedly concerning oshek (oppression); they speak from marom (on high).

⁹ They set their mouth against Shomayim, and their leshon stalketh in ha’aretz.

¹⁰ Therefore their people return here; and mayim to the full are swallowed down by them.

¹¹ And they say, How doth El (G-d) know? And is there knowledge in Elyon?

¹² Hinei, these are the resha’im; at ease olam, they increase in riches.

¹³ Surely in vain have I cleansed my lev, and washed my hands in innocency.

¹⁴ For kol hayom have I been plagued, and chastened in the bekarim (mornings).

¹⁵ If I say, I will speak thus; hinei, I would have dealt faithlessly with the dor banecha (the generation of Thy children).

¹⁶ When I thought to comprehend this, it was amal (difficulty) in my eyes;

¹⁷ Until I went into the Mikdeshei El; then I had binah (understanding) of their (the wicked’s) destiny.

¹⁸ Surely Thou didst set them in slippery places; Thou castedst them down into mashu’ot (ruins, destruction).

¹⁹ How are they brought into desolation, as in a rega (moment)! They are utterly consumed with balahot (terrors).

²⁰ As a chalom when one awaketh; so, Adonoi, when Thou art aroused [in judgment], Thou shalt despise their tzelem (shadowy form).

²¹ Thus my levav was grieved, and I was pricked in my mind.

²² So senseless was I, and ignorant; I was like behemot before Thee.

²³ Nevertheless I am with Thee tamid (always); Thou hast taken hold of me by my yamin.

²⁴ Thou shalt guide me with Thy etzah (counsel), and afterward take me to kavod (glory).

²⁵ Whom have I in Shomayim but Thee? And there is none upon HaAretz that I desire beside Thee.

²⁶ My flesh and my levav may fail; but Elohim is the Tzur of my levav, and my chelek l’olam.

²⁷ For, hinei, they that are far from Thee shall perish; Thou hast destroyed all them that go zoneh (a-whoring) from Thee.

²⁸ But kiravat Elohim (drawing near to Elohim) is tov for me; I make in Adonoi Hashem my refuge, that I may declare all Thy deeds.

74 (A Maskil of Asaph) O Elohim, why hast Thou cast us off lanetzach? Why doth Thine anger smoke against the tzon (sheep) of Thy mireh (pasture)?

² Remember Thy Edah (congregation), which Thou hast purchased of old; the shevet (tribe) of Thine nachalah, which Thou hast redeemed: this Har Tziyon, wherein Thou hast dwelt.

³ Lift up Thy footsteps unto the mashu’ot netzach (perpetual ruins); even all that the oyev hath done wickedly in the Kodesh [the Beis HaMikdash].

⁴ Thine enemies roar in the midst of Thy Mo’ed (place of meeting); they set up their banners for otot (signs, i.e., their heathen insignia).

⁵ It had been as though one lifted up kardumim (axes) upon the thicket of etz.

⁶ But now they break down the carved panels [of the Beis HaMikdash] at once with hammers and chisels.

⁷ They have set ablaze Thy Mikdash, burning it to the ground; they have brought chillul to the Mishkan Shemecha (the dwelling place of Thy Name).

⁸ They said in their hearts, Let us crush them altogether; they have burned up all the Mo’adei El in HaAretz.

⁹ We see not our otot (signs); there is no longer any navi; neither is there among us any that knoweth ad mah (until when).

¹⁰ O Elohim ad mosai, (how long) shall the adversary revile? Shall the oyev (enemy) blaspheme Thy Shem lanetzach (forever)?

¹¹ Why withdrawest Thou Thy Yad, even Thy Yamin (Right Hand)? Take it out of Thy Kheyk (bosom) and destroy [them].

¹² For Elohim is my Melech mikedem (from of old), working Yeshuah (salvation) in the midst of Ha’Aretz.

¹³ Thou didst divide the yam by Thy oz (power); Thou didst break the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.

¹⁴ Thou didst break the head of Leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be ma’akhal (food) to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

¹⁵ Thou didst break open the fountain and the flood; Thou driedst up mighty naharot (rivers).

¹⁶ The yom is Thine, the lailah also is Thine; Thou hast prepared the ma’ohr (luminary, moon) and the shemesh.

¹⁷ Thou hast set all the boundaries of Eretz; Thou hast made kayitz (summer) and choref (winter).

¹⁸ Remember this, that the oyev (enemy) hath reproached Hashem, and that the am naval (foolish people) have blasphemed Shimcha.

¹⁹ O deliver not the nefesh of Thy turtledove unto the wild beast; forget not the life of Thy aniyim (poor) lanetzach (forever).

²⁰ Have regard unto the Brit (covenant); for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of chamas.

²¹ O let not the oppressed return in shame; let the oni and evyon praise Thy Shem.

²² Arise, O Elohim, fight for Thine Own cause; remember how the naval (foolish man) revileth Thee kol hayom.

²³ Forget not the kol (voice) of Thine enemies, the tumult of those against Thee that rises up tamid (continually). [T.N. Cf Lk 2:23-24 and Ps 74:19 remembering that the turtledove was the sacrifice of the poor, which Moshiach would be, not a rich man but ani, according to Zech 9:9.]

75 (For the one directing. Set to Do Not Destroy. Mizmor Asaph. Shir) Hodinu l’cha Elohim (Unto thee, Elohim, do we give thanks). Hodinu; that Thy Shem is near Thy wondrous works declare.

^2 (3) I shall seize the mo’ed (appointed time, Chabakuk 2:3) I will judge uprightly.

^3 (4) Eretz and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolving; I, even I, hold up the ammudim (pillars) of it. Selah.

^4 (5) I said unto the hollelim (arrogant), Deal not boastfully; and to the resha’im, Lift not up the keren;

^5 (6) Lift not up your keren on high; speak not with a stiff neck.

^6 (7) For promotion cometh lo (not) from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert.

^7 (8) But Elohim is the Shofet; He bringeth down one, and setteth up another.

^8 (9) For in the yad Hashem there is a kos, and the yayin is foaming; full of mixture; and He poureth out of the same; but the dregs thereof, all rishei aretz (wicked of the earth) shall drain them down, and drink them [Lk 22:42].

^9 (10) But I will proclaim l’olam; I will sing zemirot to Elohei Ya’akov.

^10 (11) All the karnayim of the resha’im also will I cut off; but the karnayim of the tzaddik shall be exalted. [T.N. In this Psalm we see that G-d is Judge. The Bible speaks of a great Assize where there will be a verdict regarding the sheep and the goats, the redeemed and the reprobate. See Rev 19:11 and 20:4-5.]

76 (For the one directing. On stringed instruments. Mizmor of Asaph. Shir.) In Yehudah is Elohim known; Shmo is gadol in Yisroel.

^2 (3) In Shalem [i.e., Yerushalayim] also is His Sukkah, and His Ma’on (dwelling place) in Tziyon [see Yochanan chp 14 OJBC].

^3 (4) There He broke the flashing arrows, the mogen, and the cherev, and the milchamah. Selah.

^4 (5) Thou art more glorious and adir (majestic) than the mountains of prey.

^5 (6) The stouthearted are plundered; now their last sleep they sleep; and none of the anshei chayil can find their hands.

^6 (7) At Thy rebuke, O Elohei Ya’akov, both the merkavah and sus are cast into a dead sleep.

^7 (8) Thou, even Thou, art to be feared; and who may stand in Thy sight when once Thou art angry?

^8 (9) Thou didst pronounce din (sentence, judgment) from Shomayim; Eretz feared, and was still,

^9 (10) When Elohim arose to mishpat, to save all the meek of Eretz. Selah.

^10 (11) Surely the chamat adam (the wrath of man) shall praise Thee; the she’erit (remnant, survivor) of wrath shalt Thou restrain [from doing evil].

^11 (12) Make neder (vow), and pay unto Hashem Eloheichem; let all that be around Him bring gifts unto Him that ought to be feared.

^12 (13) He shall cut short the ruach of negidim (nobles); He is fearsome to the Malkhei-Aretz (Kings of the Earth).

77 (For the one directing. Set to Yedutun. Mizmor of Asaph) I cried unto Elohim with my voice, even unto Elohim with my voice; and He gave ear unto me.

^2 (3) In my yom tzoros (day of trouble) I sought Adonoi; my hand was stretched up in the lailah, and ceased not; my nefesh refused to be comforted.

^3 (4) I remembered Elohim, and groaned; I pondered, and my ruach was overwhelmed. Selah.

^4 (5) Thou holdest mine eyelids awake; I am so troubled that lo adaber (I cannot speak).

^5 (6) I have considered the yamim mikedem (days of old), the shnot olamim (years long past).

^6 (7) I called to remembrance my neginah balailah (song in the night); I communed with mine own lev; and my ruach pondered with diligent search.

^7 (8) Will Adonoi cast off forever? And will He show favor no more?

^8 (9) Is His chesed passed away forever? Is His promise at an end l’dor vador?

^9 (10) Hath El (G-d) forgotten to be channot (gracious)? Hath He in anger shut up His rachamim (mercy)? Selah.

^10 (11) And I said, This is my affliction; but I will remember the shanot of the Yemin Elyon (Right Hand of the Most High).

^11 (12) I will remember the deeds of Hashem; surely I will remember Thy wonders mikedem (of old, of long ago).

^12 (13) I will meditate also on kol po’al (all work) of Thine, and consider Thy mighty deeds.

^13 (14) Thy Derech, O Elohim, is bakodesh (in holiness). Who is so gadol El as Elohim?

^14 (15) Thou art HaEl oseh peleh (the G-d that doest wonders); Thou hast declared Thy oz (strength) among the amim (peoples, nations).

^15 (16) Thou hast with Thine zero’a (strong arm) redeemed Thy people, the Bnei Ya’akov and Yosef. Selah.

^16 (17) The mayim saw Thee, O Elohim, the mayim saw Thee; they were afraid; the tehomot (ocean depths) also writhed.

^17 (18) The clouds poured down mayim; the skies resounded in thunder; Thine khitzim (arrows, i.e., lightning bolts) also went forth

^18 (19) The voice of Thy thunder was in the galgal (whirlwind); the lightning lit up the tevel (world); ha’aretz trembled and quaked.

^19 (20) Thy derech is in the yam (sea), and Thy path is through the mayim rabbim (great waters), and Thy footsteps are not to be discerned.

^20 (21) Thou didst lead Thy people like a tzon (flock) by the yad Moshe and Aharon.

78 (Maskil of Asaph.) Give ear, O my people, to my torah; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

² I will open my mouth in a mashal; I will utter dark sayings from of old,

³ Which we have heard and known, and Avoteinu have told us.

⁴ We will not hide them from their banim, recounting to the dor acharon the tehillot Hashem, and His power, and His nifla’ot (wonderful works) that He hath done.

⁵ For He established edut in Ya’akov, set torah in Yisroel, which He commanded Avoteinu, that they should make them known to their banim;

⁶ So that the dor acharon might know them, even the banim which should be born; who should arise and recount them to their banim;

⁷ That they might put their confidence in Elohim, and not forget the ma’allei El (works of G-d), but keep His mitzvot;

⁸ And might not be as their Avot, a dor sorer u’moreh (stubborn and rebellious generation); a generation that set not its lev aright, and whose ruach was not faithful to G-d.

⁹ The Bnei Ephrayim, being armed, and shooting keshet (the bows), turned back in the day of battle.

¹⁰ They kept not the Brit Elohim, and refused to walk in His torah;

¹¹ And forgot His works, and His nifla’ot (wonders) that He had shown them.

¹² Peleh (marvellous things) did He in the sight of their avot, in Eretz Mitzrayim, in the sadeh (area) of Tzoan.

¹³ He divided the yam, and caused them to pass through; and He made the mayim to stand like a heap.

¹⁴ In the daytime also He led them with an anan, and all the lailah with an ohr of eish.

¹⁵ He split the rocks in the midbar, and gave them drink as out of the great tehomot.

¹⁶ He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused mayim to run down like rivers.

¹⁷ And they sinned yet more against Him by provoking Elyon in the wilderness.

¹⁸ And they tested G-d by their lev by demanding ochel for their lust.

¹⁹ And they spoke against Elohim; they said, Can G-d spread a shulchan in the midbar?

²⁰ Behold, He struck the Tzur, that the mayim gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can He give lechem also? Can He provide meat for His people?

²¹ Therefore Hashem heard this, and was in wrath; so an eish was kindled against Ya’akov, and anger also came up against Yisroel;

²² Because they believed not in Elohim, and trusted not in His Yeshuah (salvation);

²³ Though He had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the daletei Shomayim (doors of heaven),

²⁴ And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the bread of Shomayim [see Yn 6:31 OJBC].

²⁵ Ish did eat the bread of angels; He sent them lechem to the full.

²⁶ He caused an east wind to blow from Shomayim; and by His oz He brought in the south wind.

²⁷ He rained meat also upon them like aphar, and winged fowls like the chol (sand) of the sea;

²⁸ And He let it fall in the midst of their machaneh, all around their mishkenot (habitations).

²⁹ So they did eat, and were well filled; for He gave them their own ta’avah (evil desire).

³⁰ They were not estranged from their ta’avah. But while their food was yet in their mouths,

³¹ The Af Elohim (wrath of G-d) came upon them, and slaughtered the stoutest of them, and cut down the bochurim of Yisroel.

³² For all this they sinned still, and believed not in His nifla’ot (wondrous works).

³³ Therefore their yamim did He consume in hevel (futility, vanity) and their shanim in terror.

³⁴ When He slaughtered them, then they sought Him; and they returned and inquired diligently after G-d.

³⁵ And they remembered that Elohim was their Tzur, and the El Elyon their Go’el (Redeemer).

³⁶ Nevertheless they did flatter Him with their mouth, and they lied unto Him with their leshon.

³⁷ For their lev was not right with Him, neither were they faithful in His Brit.

³⁸ But He, being full of compassion, made kapporah for their avon and destroyed them not; and He many times turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath.

³⁹ For He remembered that they were but basar; a ruach (wind) that passeth away, and cometh not again.

⁴⁰ How oft did they provoke Him in the midbar, and grieve Him in the desert!

⁴¹ Again and again they turned back and tested G-d, and imposed limits on Kadosh Yisroel.

⁴² They remembered not His Yad (Hand, Power), nor the yom (day) when He redeemed them from the enemy.

⁴³ How He had wrought His otot in Mitzrayim, and His mofetim in the area of Tzoan.

⁴⁴ And had turned their rivers into dahm; and their streams, that they could not drink.

⁴⁵ He sent swarms of flies among them, which devoured them; and tzfarde’a (frogs), which destroyed them.

⁴⁶ He gave also their crop unto the grasshopper, and their produce unto the arbeh (locust).

⁴⁷ He destroyed their gefen with barad (hail), and their fig trees with frost.

⁴⁸ He gave up their cattle also to the barad (hail), and their livestock herds to hot thunderbolts.

⁴⁹ He cast upon them His charon af, evrah (wrath), and za’am (indignation), and tzarah, by sending malachim ra’im among them.

⁵⁰ He made a way for His anger; He spared not their nefesh from mavet (death), but gave their beasts over to the dever (plague);

⁵¹ And struck all the bechor in Mitzrayim; the reshit (first fruit) of their strength in the ohalim of Cham;

⁵² But made His own people to go forth like tzon, and guided them in the midbar like an eder (flock).

⁵³ And He led them in safety, so that they had no terror; but the yam overwhelmed their oyevim.

⁵⁴ And He brought them to His gevul kadosh (His holy border), even to this Har, which His Yamin had purchased.

⁵⁵ He cast out the Goyim also before them, and divided by measure a nachalah for them, and made the Shivtei Yisroel to dwell in their ohalim.

⁵⁶ Yet they tested and provoked Elohim Elyon, and were not shomer over His edot;

⁵⁷ But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their avot; they turned like a treacherous keshet.

⁵⁸ For they provoked Him to anger with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their pesilim.

⁵⁹ When Elohim heard this, He was in wrath, and greatly abhorred Yisroel;

⁶⁰ So that He forsook the Mishkan of Shiloh, the Ohel which He placed among adam (men);

⁶¹ And delivered His oz (strength) into captivity, and His tiferet into the hand of the enemy.

⁶² He gave His people over also unto the cherev; and was in wrath with His nachalah.

⁶³ The eish consumed their bochurim; and their betulot had no wedding celebration.

⁶⁴ Their kohanim fell by the cherev; and their almanot made no lamentation.

⁶⁵ Then Adonoi awaked as one from sleep, and like a gibbor that shouteth from yayin.

⁶⁶ And He struck down His enemies behind; He put them to cherpat olam (perpetual reproach).

⁶⁷ Moreover He rejected the Ohel Yosef, and chose not the Shevet Ephrayim;

⁶⁸ But chose the Shevet Yehudah, Har Tziyon which He loved.

⁶⁹ And He built His Mikdash like heavenly heights, like Eretz which He hath established l’olam.

⁷⁰ He chose Dovid also His Eved, and took him from the mikhle’ot tzon (sheepfolds);

⁷¹ From following the nursing ewes He brought him to shepherd Ya’akov His people, and Yisroel His nachalah.

⁷² So he shepherded them according to the tohm (integrity, guilelessness) of his lev; and led them by the skillfulness of his hands.

79 (A Mizmor. Of Asaph) O Elohim, the Goyim are come into Thine Nachalah; Thy Heikhal Kodesh have they defiled; they have reduced Yerushalayim to rubble.

² The dead bodies of Thy avadim have they given to be food unto the oph HaShomayim, the basar of Thy Chasidim, unto the beasts of the earth.

³ Their shefach dahm (shedding of blood) is like mayim all around Yerushalayim; and there is none to bury them.

⁴ We are become a reproach to our shekhenim (neighbors), a scorn and derision to them that are around us.

⁵ How long, Hashem? Wilt Thou be angry lanetzach (forever)? Shall Thy kina (jealousy) burn like eish?

⁶ Pour out Thy wrath upon the Goyim that have no da’as of Thee, and upon the mamlachot that have not called upon Thy Shem.

⁷ For they have devoured Ya’akov, and laid waste his naveh (home).

⁸ O remember not against us avonot rishonim (former iniquities); let Thy rachamim speedily come to us; for we are brought very low.

⁹ Help us, O Elohei Yisheinu, (G-d of our salvation), for the kavod of Thy Shem; and deliver us, and make kapporah for our sins, for Thy Name’s sake.

¹⁰ Why should the Goyim say, Where is Eloheihem? Let there be known among the Goyim in our sight, vengeance for the shefach dahm of Thy avadim.

¹¹ Let the groaning of the asir (prisoner) come before Thee; according to the greatness of Thy Zero’a preserve Thou those that are Bnei Temutah (sons of death, i.e., appointed to die, doomed to die);

¹² And repay unto our shekhenim (neighbors) sevenfold into their kheyk their reproach, wherewith they have reproached Thee, Adonoi.

¹³ So we Thy people and tzon of Thy pasture will give Thee thanks l’olahm (forever); we will show forth Thy praise l’dor vador.

80 (For the one directing. Set to The Lilies of the Edut. Of Asaph. Mizmor.) Give ear, O Ro’eh Yisroel, Thou that leadest Yosef like a tzon; Thou that art enthroned between the Keruvim, shine forth.

^2 (3) Before Ephrayim and Binyamin and Menasheh, Stir up Thy gevurah (might), and come and save us.

^3 (4) Turn us again, O Elohim, and cause Thy face to shine that we may be saved.

^4 (5) Hashem Elohim Tzva’os, ad mosai (how long) wilt Thou be angry against the tefillat amecha (prayer of Thy people)?

^5 (6) Thou feedest them with the lechem dimah (bread of tears); and givest them dima’ot (tears) to drink in great measure.

^6 (7) Thou makest us a madon (strife, contention) unto shcheneinu (our neighbors), and oyveinu (our enemies) mock us.

^7 (8) Turn us again, O Elohim Tzva’os, and cause Thy face to shine that we may be saved.

^8 (9) Thou hast brought a gefen (vine) out of Mitzrayim; Thou hast drove out Goyim, and planted it.

^9 (10) Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the eretz.

^10 (11) The harim were covered with the tzel (shadow) of it, and the branches thereof were like the mighty cedars.

^11 (12) It sent out its branches unto the yam (sea, i.e., Mediterranean Sea) and its shoots unto the Nahar (river, i.e., the Euphrates).

^12 (13) Lammah (why) hast Thou then broken down her walls, so that all they which pass by the derech do pluck her?

^13 (14) The chazir (wild boar) out of the forest doth lay it waste, and the beasts of the sadeh doth devour it.

^14 (15) Shuv nah (return now), we beseech Thee, O Elohim Tzva’os; look down from Shomayim, and behold, and visit gefen zot (this vine);

^15 (16) And the stock which Thy Yamin (Right Hand) hath planted, and the Ben that Thou madest strong for Thyself.

^16 (17) It is burned with eish, it is cut down; they perish at the ge’arah (rebuke) of Thy countenance.

^17 (18) Let Thy Yad be upon the Ish Yeminecha (the Man of your Right Hand), upon the Ben Adam whom Thou madest strong for Thyself [cf Psalm 110:1; Dan 7:13].

^18 (19) So will we never turn back from Thee; revive us, and we will call upon Thy Shem.

¹⁹ Turn us again, Hashem Elohim Tzva’os; cause Thy face to shine that we may be saved.

81 (For the one directing. On the gittis. Of Asaph.) Sing with joy unto Elohim uzeinu (our strength); make a joyful noise unto Elohei Ya’akov.

^2 (3) Begin a song, and bring hither the tambourine, the pleasant kinnor (harp) with the nevel (lyre).

^3 (4) Blow the shofar at Rosh Chodesh, at the full moon, on Yom Chageinu.

^4 (5) For this was a chok for Yisroel, and a mishpat of the Elohei Ya’akov.

^5 (6) This He ordained in Yosef for an edut, when He went out over Eretz Mitzra- yim; where a language of one not known did I hear.

^6 (7) I removed his shekhem (shoulder) from the burden; his hands were delivered from the basket.

^7 (8) In tzoros thou calledst, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the seter ra’am (secret place of thunder); I tested thee at the waters of Merivah. Selah.

^8 (9) Shema, O My people, and I will admonish thee; O Yisroel, if thou wilt pay heed unto Me;

^9 (10) There shall no el zar (strange, foreign g-d) be among thee; neither shalt thou worship any el nechar (foreign g-d).

^10 (11) I am Hashem Eloheicha Who brought thee out of Eretz Mitzrayim; open thy mouth wide, I will fill it.

^11 (12) But My people would not pay heed to My voice; and Yisroel would have none of Me.

^12 (13) So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ sherirut (stubbornness); and they walked in their own mo’atzot (counsels).

^13 (14) Oh that My people had paid heed unto Me, and Yisroel had walked in My ways!

^14 (15) I should soon have subdued their oyevim and turned My Yad (hand, power) against their adversaries.

^15 (16) The haters of Hashem should have cringed before Him; their et (time, fate, punishment) endures l’olam.

^16 (17) He would have fed them also with the finest of the chittah (wheat); and with devash (honey) from the Tzur would I have satisfied thee.

82 (Mizmor of Asaph.) Elohim standeth in the Adat El; He judgeth among the elohim [See Ps 82:6 and Yn 10:34].

² Ad mosai (How long) will ye judge unjustly, and show partiality to the resha’im? Selah.

³ Defend the poor and yatom (fatherless); do justice to the oni (afflicted) and needy.

⁴ Deliver the poor and needy; rid them out of the yad resha’im.

⁵ They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in choshech; all the foundations of ha’aretz are shaken.

⁶ I have said, elohim ye are; and all of you are Bnei HaElyon.

⁷ But ye shall die like adam, and fall like one of the sarim (princes).

⁸ Arise, Elohim, judge ha’aretz; for Thou shalt inherit kol HaGoyim.

83 (Shir. Mizmor of Asaph). Keep not Thou silent, O Elohim; hold not Thy peace, and be not still, O El (G-d).

^2 (3) For, hinei, Thine oyevim are in tumult; and they that hate Thee have lifted up the rosh.

^3 (4) They lay out a crafty conspiracy against Amecha (Thy people), and plot against Tzefunecha (Thy sheltered, protected, hidden ones).

^4 (5) They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a goy (nation); that the shem Yisroel may be no more remembered.

^5 (6) For they have plotted together with one lev; they cut a brit against Thee;

^6 (7) The ohalim Edom, and the Yishm’elim; of Moav, and the Hagerim;

^7 (8) Geval, and Ammon, and Amalek; Peleshet (Philistia) with the inhabitants of Tzor;

^8 (9) Assyria also is joined with them; they are the zero’a (strong arm) of the Bnei Lot. Selah.

^9 (10) Do unto them as unto Midyan; as to Sisra, as to Yavin, at the Wadi Kishon [see Shofetim chp 4-8];

^10 (11) Which became shmad at Ein-Dor; they became like domen (dung, fertilizer) for ha’adamah.

^11 (12) Make their nobles like Orev, and like Ze’ev; yes, all their princes like Zevach, and like Tzalmunna;

^12 (13) Who said, Let us take possession for ourselves of the pasturelands of Elohim.

^13 (14) O Elohai, make them like galgal (tumbleweed); like chaff before the ruach (wind).

^14 (15) As the eish consumeth the forest, and as the flame setteth ablaze harim;

^15 (16) So pursue them with Thy sa’ar (tempest, storm), and make them afraid with Thy storm.

^16 (17) Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek Shimcha, Hashem.

^17 (18) Let them be put to shame and dismayed adei ad (forever); yes, let them perish in disgrace;

^18 (19) Let them have da’as that Thou alone, Shimcha Hashem, art Elyon al kol HaAretz.

84 (For the one directing. On the gittit. Mizmor for the Bnei Korach). How yedidot (lovely) are thy mishkanot, O Hashem Tzva’os!

^2 (3) My nefesh longeth, yea, even fainteth for the khatzrot Hashem (courts of Hashem); my lev and my basar crieth out for El Chai.

^3 (4) Yea, the sparrow hath found a bais, and the swallow a ken (nest) for herself, where she may lay her young, even Thine mizbechot, O Hashem Tzva’os Malki v’Elohai.

^4 (5) Ashrei are they that dwell in Thy Beis [Hamikdash]; they are ever praising Thee. Selah.

^5 (6) Ashrei is the adam whose oz (strength) is in Thee; in whose lev are their highways [to Tziyon; see verse 7(8)].

^6 (7) Who passing through the valley of Baca (weeping) make it a ma’ayon (spring, fountain); the moreh (early rain) also covereth it with berakhot (blessings).

^7 (8) They go from strength to strength, every one of them who appeareth before Elohim in Tziyon.

^8 (9) O Hashem Elohim Tzva’os, hear my tefillah; give ear, O Elohei Ya’akov. Selah.

^9 (10) Behold mogineinu (our shield), O Elohim, and look upon the face of Thine Moshiach.

^10 (11) For a yom in Thy khatzrot is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the Beis Elohai, than to dwell in the ohalim resha (tents of wickedness).

^11 (12) For Hashem Elohim is a shemesh and a mogen; Hashem will give chen and kavod; no good thing will He withhold from the holekhim b’tamim (them that walk uprightly).

^12 (13) O Hashem Tzva’os, ashrei is the adam bote’ach (man that trusteth, hath confident faith) in Thee.

85 (For the one directing. Of the Bnei Korach. Mizmor.) Hashem, Thou hast been favorable unto Thy land; Thou hast brought back the captivity of Ya’akov.

^2 (3) Thou hast forgiven the avon (iniquity) of Amecha (Thy people); Thou hast covered all their chattat (sin). Selah.

^3 (4) Thou hast withdrawn all Thy wrath; Thou hast turned from Thine charon af.

^4 (5) Turn us, O Elohei Yisheinu (G-d of our salvation), and put away Thine ka’as (anger) toward us.

^5 (6) Wilt Thou be angry with us l’olam? Wilt Thou draw out Thine anger l’dor vador?

^6 (7) Wilt Thou not revive us again; that Amecha (Thy people) may rejoice in Thee?

^7 (8) Show us chasdecha (Thy chesed, kindness, steadfast love), Hashem, and grant us Thy salvation.

^8 (9) I will hear what HaEl Hashem will say; for He will speak shalom unto His people, and to His Chasidim; but let them not turn again to folly.

^9 (10) Surely His salvation is karov (near) them that fear Him; that kavod may dwell in Artzeinu (our land).

^10 (11) Chesed and emes will meet together; tzedek and shalom will kiss each other.

^11 (12) Emes shall titzmach (sprout forth [T.N. Tzemach—Branch, Sprout—is the code name for Moshiach and the coming Tzemach’s Namesake in Zecharyah 6:11-12 is Yehoshua, Yeshua—see Ezra 3:8; Zech 3:8; 6:11-12. Go to Jer 23:5 and look at all the references. These are among the most important Scriptures in the Bible because it is here that the saving Name of Moshiach Tzidkeinu is prophetically communicated for salvation; the word Tzemach means “Moshiach” and it is the code word par excellence for Moshiach in the post-Exilic references in the minor prophets; this veiled reference to Moshiach was necessary in the situation of the Return under Persian rule when talk of a coming king was a delicate matter.]) out of ha’aretz; and tzedek shall look down from Shomayim.

^12 (13) Yes, Hashem shall give that which is tov; and Artzeinu (our land) shall yield her yevul (increase, produce).

^13 (14) Tzedek shall go before Him; and shall set us in the Derech of His steps.

86 (A tefillah of Dovid) Incline Thine ear, Hashem; hear me; for I am ani (poor) and evyon (needy).

² Be shomer over my nefesh; for I am chasid; O Thou Elohai, save Thy eved that trusteth in Thee.

³ Channeni (be merciful) unto me, Adonoi; for I cry unto Thee kol hayom.

⁴ Samei’ach (rejoice) the nefesh of Thy eved; for unto Thee, Adonoi, do I lift up my nefesh.

⁵ For Thou, Adonoi, art tov, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in chesed unto all them that call upon Thee.

⁶ Give ear, Hashem, unto my tefillah (prayer); and attend to the voice of my techinnot (supplications).

⁷ In my yom tzoros I will call upon Thee; for Thou wilt answer me.

⁸ Ein kamocha vaelohim (there is none like Thee among the g-ds), Adonoi; nor are there any ma’asim like Thine.

⁹ Kol Goyim whom Thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, Adonoi; and shall glorify Shimcha.

¹⁰ For Thou art gadol, and doest nifla’ot (wondrous things); Thou alone art Elohim.

¹¹ Teach me Thy Derech, Hashem; I will walk in Thy emes; Yachad (make undivided) levavi (my heart) to fear Thy Shem.

¹² I will praise Thee, Adonoi Elohai, with all my lev; and I will glorify Shimecha l’olam.

¹³ For gadol is Thy chesed toward me; and Thou hast saved my nefesh from the lowermost Sheol.

¹⁴ O Elohim, the zedim (arrogant ones, proud, insolent ones) are risen up against me, and the adat aritzim (band of violent men) seek my nefesh; and have not set Thee before them.

¹⁵ But Thou, Adonoi, art El Rachum and Channun, slow to anger, and plenteous in chesed and emes.

¹⁶ O turn unto me, and be gracious upon me; give Thy oz (strength) unto Thy eved, and save the ben amatecha (the son of Thy handmaid).

¹⁷ Show me an ot (sign) for tovah; that they which hate me may see it, and be put to shame; because Thou, Hashem, hast helped me, and comforted me.

87 (Of the Bnei Korach. A mizmor. A shir) On the Harei Kodesh (Holy Mountain) stands His foundation.

² Hashem loveth the sha’arei Tziyon more than all the mishkenot Ya’akov.

³ Glorious things are spoken of thee, O Ir HaElohim. Selah.

⁴ To them that know me, I will make mention of Rachav and Babylon; hinei, Philistia, and Tzor, with Ethiopia: this man was born there.

⁵ But of Tziyon it shall be said, This one and that one were born in her; and Elyon Himself shall establish it.

⁶ Hashem shall register, when He writeth up the people, that this one was born there. Selah.

⁷ The sharim (ones singing) as well as the cholelim (players on instruments) shall be there; all my fountains are in thee.

88 (Shir. Mizmor of the Bnei Korach. For the one directing. According to Machalat le‘annot. Maskil of Herman the Ezrachi.) Hashem Elohei Yeshuati (G-d of my salvation), I have cried out yom valailah before Thee.

^2 (3) Let my tefillah come before Thee; incline Thine ear unto my cry;

^3 (4) For my nefesh is full of troubles; and my life draweth near unto Sheol.

^4 (5) I am counted with them that go down into the bor (pit); I am like a gever (man) that hath no strength;

^5 (6) Forsaken among the mesim, like the slain that lie in the kever, whom Thou rememberest no more; and nigzaru (they are cut off, excluded; see Isa 53:8) from Thy Yad (hand, power, care).

^6 (7) Thou hast laid me in the lowest bor (pit), in darkness, in the deeps.

^7 (8) Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and Thou hast overwhelmed me with kol mishbarecha (all Thy waves, breakers). Selah.

^8 (9) Thou hast estranged mine acquaintances far from me; Thou hast made me to’evot unto them; I am shut up, and I cannot escape.

^9 (10) Mine eye groweth dim by reason of oni (affliction); Hashem, I have called daily upon Thee, I have stretched up my hands unto Thee.

^10 (11) Wilt Thou show wonders to the mesim? Shall the lifeless arise and praise Thee? Selah.

^11 (12) Shall Thy chesed be declared in the kever? Or Thy emunah in Avaddon?

^12 (13) Shall Thy wonders be known in the choshech? And Thy tzedakah in the Eretz Neshiyyah (land of forgetfulness, oblivion)?

^13 (14) But unto Thee have I cried, Hashem; and in the boker shall my tefillah come before Thee.

^14 (15) Hashem, why castest Thou off my nefesh? Why hidest Thou Thy face from me?

^15 (16) I am afflicted and govei’a (one being close to death) from my youth up; while I suffer Thy terrors I am distraught.

^16 (17) Thy charon (fierce wrath) goeth over me; Thy terrors have flayed me.

^17 (18) They came round about me daily like mayim; they close in, engulfing me.

^18 (19) Ohev (lover) and re’a (companion) hast Thou estranged from me, and mine acquaintances are in darkness. [T.N. Ps 89 is a messianic Ps.]

89 (A maskil of Eitan the Ezrachi). I will sing of the mercies of Hashem olam; with my mouth will I make known Thy emunah (faithfulness) to dor vador.

^2 (3) For I have said, Chesed shall be built up olam; Thy emunah (faithfulness) shalt Thou establish in Shomayim itself.

^3 (4) I have made a Brit with My Bechir (Chosen one), I have sworn unto Dovid Avdi,

^4 (5) Thy Zera will I establish ad olam, and build up thy kisse to dor vador. Selah.

^5 (6) And Shomayim shall praise Thy wonders, O Hashem; Thy emunah (faithfulness) also in the Kahal Kedoshim.

^6 (7) For who in the heavens can be compared unto Hashem? Who among the bnei elim can be likened unto Hashem?

^7 (8) G-d is greatly to be feared in the sod Kedoshim (council of the holy ones), and is awesome over all them that are around Him.

^8 (9) Hashem Elohei Tzva’os, who is like Thee, O Mighty One, Hashem? Thy emunah also surrounds Thee!

^9 (10) Thou rulest the raging of the yam; when the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them [see Mk 4:41].

^10 (11) Thou hast broken Rachav in pieces, as one that is slain; Thou hast scattered Thine oyevim with Thy strong Zero’a.

^11 (12) Shomayim are Thine, Eretz also is Thine; as for the tevel (world) and the fulness thereof, Thou hast founded them.

^12 (13) The tzafon (north) and the yamin (south) Thou hast created them; Tavor and Chermon shall sing for joy in Thy Shem.

^13 (14) Thou hast a mighty Zero’a; strong is Thy Yad, and exalted is Thy Yamin.

^14 (15) Tzedek and mishpat are the foundation of Thy kisse; chesed and emes shall go before Thy face.

^15 (16) Ashrei is the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, Hashem, in the ohr (light) of Thy countenance.

^16 (17) In Thy Shem shall they rejoice kol hayom; and in Thy tzedakah shall they be exalted.

^17 (18) For Thou art the tiferet (splendor, glory) of their strength; and in Thy favor our keren shall be exalted.

^18 (19) For Hashem is our mogen; and the Kadosh Yisroel is Malkeinu (our king).

^19 (20) Then Thou spoke in chazon (vision) to Thy chasidim, and saidst, I have laid ezer (help) upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

^20 (21) I have found Dovid Avdi; with My shemen kadosh (holy oil) meshachtiv (I anointed him);

^21 (22) With whom My yad shall be established; Mine zero’a also shall strengthen him.

^22 (23) The oyev (enemy) shall not ensnare him; nor the ben avlah (son of wickedness) afflict him.

^23 (24) And I will beat down his tzar before his face, and strike down them that hate him.

^24 (25) But My emunah (faithfulness) and My chesed shall be with him; and in My Shem shall his keren be exalted.

^25 (26) I will set his yad also upon the yam, and his yamin upon the neharot (rivers).

^26 (27) He shall cry out unto Me, Thou art Avi, Eli, and the Tzur of my Yeshuah (salvation) [Mt 16:16].

^27 (28) Also I will make him My Bechor, elyon (most exalted) of the Malkhei Aretz.

^28 (29) My chesed will I be shomer over for him forevermore, and My Brit shall stand unfailing with him.

^29 (30) His zera also will I make to endure forever, and his kisse as the days of Shomayim.

^30 (31) If his banim forsake My torah, walk not in My mishpatim,

^31 (32) If they violate My chukkot, and are not shomer over My mitzvot;

^32 (33) Then will I visit their peysha with shevet (rod), and their avon (iniquity) with stripes.

^33 (34) Nevertheless My chesed will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer My emunah (faithfulness) to fail.

^34 (35) My Brit will I not violate, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips.

^35 (36) Once have I sworn by My Kodesh; I will not lie unto Dovid.

^36 (37) His zera shall endure l’olam, and his kisse as the shemesh before Me.

^37 (38) It shall be established olam as the yarei’ach, and as an ed ne’eman (a faithful witness) in the heavens. Selah.

^38 (39) But Thou hast cast off [mem-alef-samech, see same word Psalm 118:22] and abhorred, Thou hast been in wrath with Thine Moshiach.

^39 (40) Thou hast made void the Brit of Thy eved; Thou hast profaned his nezer (diadem) to the ground.

^40 (41) Thou hast broken down all his gederot (hedges); Thou hast brought his strongholds to ruin.

^41 (42) All that pass by the derech plunder him; he is a cherpah (reproach) to his shchenim [Mt 27:39].

^42 (43) Thou hast exalted the yamin of his adversaries; Thou hast made all his oyevim to rejoice.

^43 (44) Thou hast also turned back the edge of his cherev, and hast not made him to stand in the milchamah.

^44 (45) Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his kisse down to the ground.

^45 (46) The days of his youth hast thou shortened; Thou hast covered him with bushah (shame). Selah.

^46 (47) How long, Hashem? Wilt Thou hide Thyself lanetzach (forever)? Shall Thy wrath burn like eish?

^47 (48) Remember how short my time is. For what vanity hast Thou created kol bnei adam?

^48 (49) What gever is he that liveth, and shall not see mavet? Shall he deliver his nefesh from the yad Sheol (power of Sheol)? Selah.

^49 (50) Adonoi, where are Thy former lovingkindnesses, which Thou didst swear unto Dovid in Thy emunah?

^50 (51) Remember, Adonoi, the reproach of Thy avadim; how I do bear in my kheyk (bosom) the reproach of all rabbim amim (many peoples);

^51 (52) Wherewith Thine oyevim have reproached, Hashem; wherewith they have reproached the ikkevot (footsteps) of Thine Moshiach.

^52 (53) Baruch Hashem l’olam. Omein and Omein.

90 (Tefillah of Moshe, ish HaElohim) Adonoi, Thou hast been our ma’on (dwelling place) b’dor vador.

² Before the harim were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed eretz and the tevel (inhabited world), even from olam ad olam, Thou art El (G-d).

³ Thou turnest enosh to dakka (dust); and sayest, Shuvu, ye Bnei Adam.

⁴ For an elef shanim in Thy sight are but as yom etmol (yesterday) when it is past, and as an ashmurah (watch, division of time) in the lailah.

⁵ Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sheinah (sleep); in the boker they are like khatzir (grass) which withereth.

⁶ In the boker it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the erev it is cut down, and drieth up.

⁷ For we are consumed by Thine anger, and by Thy chemah are we troubled.

⁸ Thou hast set avonoteinu before Thee, our secret sins in the ohr of Thy countenance.

⁹ For kol yameinu are passed away in Thy evrah (fury); we spend shaneinu (our years) like a sigh.

¹⁰ The yamim of shnoteinu (our years, life) are threescore shanah and ten; and if by reason of gevurot they are fourscore shanah, yet is their boast amal (trouble, toil) and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

¹¹ Who has da’as of the oz (power) of Thine anger? Thy evrah is as great as Thy yirah (fear of, reverence owed G-d).

¹² So teach us to number yameinu, that we may apply levav unto chochmah.

¹³ Shuvah, Hashem. Ad mosai? Have compassion on Thy avadim.

¹⁴ O satisfy us baboker with Thy chesed; that we may sing for joy and be glad kol yameinu (all our days).

¹⁵ Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen ra’ah.

¹⁶ Let Thy work appear unto Thy avadim, and Thy glory unto their banim.

¹⁷ And let the no’am (favor, delightfulness) of Adonoi Eloheinu be upon us; and establish Thou the ma’aseh yadeinu upon us; yes, the ma’aseh yadeinu establish Thou it.

91 He that dwelleth in the seter Elyon (covering, hiding place of the Most High) shall abide under the tzel Shaddai (shadow of the Almighty).

² I will say of Hashem, He is my refuge and my fortress; Elohai (my G-d); in Him will I trust.

³ Surely He shall save thee from the pach yakosh ([deadly] snare of the fowler), and from the devastating dever (plague).

⁴ He shall cover thee with His evrah (pinion, flight feathers), and under His kenafayim (wings) shalt thou find defense; His Emes shall be thy shield and buckler.

⁵ Thou shalt not be afraid of the pachad (terror) by lailah; nor of the khetz (arrow) that flieth yomam (by day);

⁶ Nor for the dever (plague) that walketh in darkness; nor for the ketev (pestilence, destruction) that destroyeth at tzohorayim (noon).

⁷ An elef (thousand) may fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy yamin (right hand); but it shall not come near thee.

⁸ Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the shillumah (recompense, retribution) of the resha’im.

⁹ Because thou hast made Hashem, which is my refuge, even Elyon, thy ma’on (habitation, dwelling; see Yn 14:2 OJBC)

¹⁰ There shall no ra’ah (evil, disaster) befall thee, neither shall any nega come near thy ohel.

¹¹ For He shall give charge to His malachim (angels) concerning thee, to be shomer over thee in kol drakhim of thee.

¹² They [the malachim of Hashem] shall bear thee up on their palms, lest thou dash thy regel against an even (stone).

¹³ Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the tannin (serpent) shalt thou trample under foot.

¹⁴ Because he hath set his longing upon Me, therefore will I rescue him; I will set him on high, because he hath da’as of Shmi (My Name).

¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in tzoros; I will deliver him, and honor him.

¹⁶ With orech yamim (length of days, long life) will I satisfy him, and show him My Yeshuah (salvation).

92 (Mizmor. Shir. For Shabbos) It is tov to give thanks unto Hashem, and to make music unto Thy Shem, O Elyon;

^2 (3) To proclaim Thy chesed in the boker, and Thy emunah baleilot,

^3 (4) Upon a ten-stringed instrument, and upon the nevel (lyre); to the melody of the kinnor (harp).

^4 (5) For Thou, Hashem, hast made me glad through Thy work; I will joy in the works of Thy hands.

^5 (6) Hashem, how great are Thy works! And Thy machshe’vot (thoughts) are very deep.

^6 (7) An ish ba’ar (brutish, senseless man, dolt) knoweth not; neither doth a kesil (fool) understand this.

^7 (8) When the resha’im spring up like the esev (grass), and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish, it is that they shall be destroyed adei-ad (forever).

^8 (9) But Thou, Hashem, art exalted l’olam.

^9 (10) For, hinei, Thine enemies, Hashem, for, hinei, Thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

^10 (11) But my keren shalt Thou exalt like the keren of a re’eim (wild ox); I shall be anointed with fresh shemen.

^11 (12) Mine eye also shall look on mine foes, and mine ears shall hear of the resha’im that rise up against me.

^12 (13) The tzaddik shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Levanon.

^13 (14) Those that are planted in the Beis Hashem shall flourish in the khatzerot Eloheinu (courts of our G-d).

^14 (15) They shall still bear forth fruit in old age; they shall be deshenim (stalwart, vigorous) and ra’ananim (luxuriant, fresh);

^15 (16) To proclaim that Hashem is yashar; He is my Tzur, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

93 Hashem reigneth, He is robed with majesty; Hashem is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself; the tevel (world) also is established, that it cannot be moved.

² Thy kisse is established of old; Thou art me’olam (from everlasting).

³ The floods have lifted up, Hashem, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

⁴ Hashem on high is mightier than the noise of mayim rabbim, yea, than the mighty waves of the yam.

⁵ Thy testimonies are very sure; Kodesh becometh Thine Beis, Hashem, forever.

94 Hashem G-d, to whom vengeance belongeth; O G-d, to whom vengeance belongeth, show Thyself.

² Rise up, Thou Shofet HaAretz; render gemul (recompense, desert) to the ge’im (proud ones).

³ Ad mosai, Hashem, shall the resha’im, how long shall the resha’im triumph?

⁴ How long shall they utter and speak malicious lies? And all the po’alei aven (workers of iniquity) glorify themselves?

⁵ They crush Thy people, Hashem, and afflict Thine nachalah.

⁶ They slay the almanah and the ger, and murder the yetomim (fatherless, orphans).

⁷ Yet they say, Hashem shall not see, neither shall the Elohei Ya’akov regard it.

⁸ Understand, ye brutish among the people; and ye kesilim (fools), when will ye get seichel?

⁹ He that planted the ozen (ear), shall He not hear? He that formed the ayin (eye), shall He not see?

¹⁰ He that chastiseth the Goyim, shall not He reprove? He that is the melamed (teacher) of da’as to adam?

¹¹ Hashem knoweth the machshevot (thoughts) of adam, that they are hevel (vanity, futile).

¹² Ashrei (blessed) is the gever whom Thou chastenest, Hashem, and teachest him out of Thy torah;

¹³ That Thou mayest grant him relief from the days of rah, until a shachat (pit) is dug for the rasha.

¹⁴ For Hashem will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His nachalah.

¹⁵ But mishpat shall revert unto tzedek; and all the yishrei lev (upright in heart) shall follow after it.

¹⁶ Who will rise up for Me against the evildoers? Or who will take a stand for Me against the po’alei aven (workers of iniquity)?

¹⁷ Unless Hashem had been my help, my nefesh had almost dwelt in dumah (silence).

¹⁸ When I said, My regel (foot) slippeth, Thy chesed, Hashem, held me up.

¹⁹ In the multitude of my anxieties within me Thy comforts delight my nefesh.

²⁰ Shall the kisse of corruption have chavurah (fellowship) with Thee, those, which deviseth evil by a chok (statute)?

²¹ They band together against the nefesh of the tzaddik, and condemn dahm naki (innocent blood).

²² But Hashem is my stronghold; and Elohai is the Tzur of my refuge.

²³ And He shall turn back upon them their own iniquity, and shall destroy them for their own wickedness; Hashem Eloheinu shall destroy them.

95 O come, let us sing unto Hashem; let us make a joyful noise to the Tzur of our salvation.

² Let us come before His presence with todah, and extol Him with zemirot (joyful songs).

³ For Hashem is El Gadol, and Melech Gadol above kol elohim (g-ds).

⁴ In His yad are the deep places of ha’aretz; the peaks of the harim are His also.

⁵ The yam is His, and He made it; and His hands formed the yabashah (dry land).

⁶ O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before Hashem Oseinu (our Maker).

⁷ For He is Eloheinu; and we are the people of His pasture, and the tzon of His yad. Today if ye will hear His voice,

⁸ Harden not your lev, as in Merivah, and as in the Yom Massah in the midbar;

⁹ When your avot tested Me, tried Me, and saw My work.

¹⁰ Arba’im shanah was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do stray in their lev, and they have no da’as of My ways;

¹¹ Unto whom I swore an oath in My wrath that they should not enter into My menuchah.

96 O sing unto Hashem a shir chadash; sing unto Hashem, kol ha’aretz.

² Sing unto Hashem, barakhu Shmo, show forth His Yeshuah (salvation) from day to day.

³ Declare His kavod among the Goyim, His nifle’ot (marvelous deeds) among all peoples.

⁴ For Hashem is gadol, and me’od to be praised; He is to be feared above all elohim.

⁵ For kol elohei HaAmim are elilim (idols); but Hashem made Shomayim.

⁶ Hod and hadar are before Him; oz and tiferet are in His Mikdash.

⁷ Render unto Hashem, O ye mishpekhot of the nations, render unto Hashem kavod and oz.

⁸ Render unto Hashem the kavod due unto Shmo; bring a minchah, and come into His khatzerot (courtyards).

⁹ O worship Hashem in the hadrat Kodesh; fear before Him, kol ha’aretz.

¹⁰ Say among the Goyim that Hashem reigneth; the tevel also is established that it shall not be moved; He shall judge the Amim bemeysharim (in equity, in uprightness).

¹¹ Let Shomayim rejoice, and let ha’aretz be glad; let the yam roar, and the fullness thereof.

¹² Let the sadeh be jubilant, and all that is therein; then shall kol atzei ya’ar (all the trees of the forest) sing for joy

¹³ Before Hashem; for He cometh, for He cometh to judge ha’aretz; He shall judge tevel betzedek (world in righteousness), and Amim with His emunah (truth).

97 Hashem reigneth; let ha’aretz rejoice; let the multitude of isles thereof be glad.

² Anan and darkness are round about Him; tzedek and mishpat are the foundation of His kisse.

³ Eish goeth before Him, and burneth up His enemies on every side.

⁴ His lightnings light up the tevel; ha’aretz saw, and trembled.

⁵ The harim melted like wax at the presence of Hashem, at the presence of Adon kol HaAretz.

⁶ HaShomayim declare His tzedek, and kol ha’amim see His kavod.

⁷ Shamed be all they that serve pesel, that boast themselves of elilim; worship Him, kol elohim.

⁸ Tziyon heard, and was glad; and the banot Yehudah rejoiced because of Thy mishpatim, Hashem.

⁹ For Thou, Hashem, art Elyon above kol ha’aretz; Thou art exalted far above kol elohim.

¹⁰ Ye that love Hashem, hate rah; He preserveth the nefashot of His chasidim; He delivereth them out of the yad resha’im.

¹¹ Ohr dawns for the tzaddik, and simchah for the yishrei lev (upright in heart).

¹² Rejoice in Hashem, ye tzaddikim; and give thanks at the remembrance of His kodesh (holiness).

98 (A Mizmor) O sing unto Hashem a shir chadash; for He hath done marvellous things; His right hand, and His zero’a kodesh, hath gotten Him victory.

² Hashem hath made known His Yeshuah (salvation); His tzedek hath He openly showed in the sight of the Goyim.

³ He hath remembered His chesed and His emes toward the Bais Yisroel; all the ends of ha’aretz have seen the Yeshu’at Eloheinu (salvation of our G-d).

⁴ Make a joyful noise unto Hashem, kol ha’aretz; make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

⁵ Sing unto Hashem with the kinnor; with the kinnor, and the voice of singing.

⁶ With trumpets and sound of the shofar make a joyful noise before HaMelech Hashem.

⁷ Let the yam roar, and the fullness thereof; the tevel, and they that dwell therein.

⁸ Let the floods clap their hands; let the harim be joyful together

⁹ Before Hashem; for He cometh to judge ha’aretz; with tzedek shall He judge the tevel, and the people with meisharim (uprightness).

99 Hashem reigneth; let the nations tremble; He sitteth between the keruvim; let ha’aretz be shaken.

² Hashem is great in Tziyon; and He is high above all the nations.

³ Let them praise Thy Shem gadol v’nora; for it is kadosh.

⁴ The Mighty King also loveth mishpat; Thou dost establish equity, Thou executest mishpat and tzedakah in Ya’akov.

⁵ Exalt ye Hashem Eloheinu, and worship at His footstool; for He is kadosh.

⁶ Moshe and Aharon among His kohanim, and Shmuel among them that call upon Shmo; they called upon Hashem, and He answered them.

⁷ He spoke unto them in the ammud anan (pillar of cloud); they were shomer over His statutes, and the chok (ordinance) that He gave them.

⁸ Thou answeredst them, Hashem Eloheinu; Thou wast El (G-d) that forgavest them, though Thou tookest vengeance of their misdeeds.

⁹ Exalt Hashem Eloheinu, and worship at His Har Kodesh; for Hashem Eloheinu is kadosh.

100 (Mizmor l’todah) Make a joyful shout unto Hashem, all ye lands.

² Serve Hashem with simchah; come before His presence with joyful singing.

³ Know ye that Hashem He is Elohim; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves, His people, the tzon of His pasture.

⁴ Enter into His she’arim (gates) with todah, and into His khatzerot (courts) with tehillah; be thankful unto Him, and bless Shmo.

⁵ For Hashem is good; His chesed is l’olam; and His emunah (faithfulness) endureth dor vador.

101 (Of Dovid. Mizmor) I will sing of chesed and mishpat; unto Thee, Hashem, will I sing.

² I will study the derech tamim. O when wilt Thou come unto me? I will walk within my bais with tam levav.

³ I will set no devar beliyya’al before mine eyes; I hate the work of them that fall away; it shall not cleave to me.

⁴ A lev ikkesh (perverse heart) shall be far from me; I will not tolerate rah.

⁵ The one who slandereth ba’seter (in secret) his neighbor, him will I destroy; him that hath haughty einayim (eyes) and a proud levav will I not endure.

⁶ Mine eyes shall be upon the ne’emenei eretz (faithful of the land), that they may dwell with me; he that walketh in a derech tamim, he shall minister to me.

⁷ He that worketh remiyyah (deceit) shall not dwell within my bais; he that speaketh shekarim (falsehoods, lies) shall not continue in my presence.

⁸ In the bokerim I will destroy all rishei eretz (wicked ones of the land); that I may cut off all doers of evil from the Ir Hashem.

102 (A tefillah of one afflicted; when he is faint, he pours out his si’akh [complaint] before Hashem) Hear my tefillah, Hashem, and let my cry for help come unto Thee.

^2 (3) Hide not Thy face from me in the yom tzar (day of distress); incline Thine ear unto me; in the yom when I call, answer me speedily.

^3 (4) For my yamim are consumed like ashan (smoke), and my atzmot burn like a furnace.

^4 (5) My lev is struck, and withered like esev; so that I forget to eat my lechem.

^5 (6) By reason of the voice of my groaning my atzmot have deveykus to my basar.

^6 (7) I am like a bird of the midbar; I am like an owl of the desert.

^7 (8) I keep watch, and am like a tzippor (bird) alone upon the gag (housetop, roof).

^8 (9) Mine oyevim (enemies) reproach me kol hayom; and they that revile me curse by me.

^9 (10) For I have eaten ashes like lechem, and mingled my drink with tears.

^10 (11) Because of Thine za’am (indignation) and Thy ketsef (wrath, anger); for Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

^11 (12) My days are like a tzel (shadow) that lengtheneth; and I am withered like esev (grass).

^12 (13) But Thou, Hashem, shall endure l’olam; and Thy memory unto dor vador.

^13 (14) Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Tziyon; for the time to favor her, the mo’ed (set time, appointed time) has come.

^14 (15) For Thy avadim cherish her avanim (stones), and pity her aphar.

^15 (16) So the Goyim shall fear the Shem Hashem, and all the melachim of ha’aretz will revere Thy glory.

^16 (17) When Hashem shall build up Tziyon, He shall appear in His Kavod.

^17 (18) He will regard the tefillah of the destitute, and not despise their tefillah.

^18 (19) This shall be written for a dor acharon (future generation); and the people which shall be created shall praise Hashem.

^19 (20) For He hath looked down from the height of His Kodesh; from Shomayim did Hashem behold Eretz;

^20 (21) To hear the groaning of the asir (prisoner); to release those that are bnei temutah (men [appointed to] death);

^21 (22) To declare the Shem Hashem in Tziyon, and His tehillah (praise) in Yerushalayim;

^22 (23) When the peoples are gathered together in assembly, and the mamlachot (kingdoms), to serve Hashem.

^23 (24) He bowed down my ko’ach in the derech; He cut short my yamim.

^24 (25) I said, O my G-d, take me not away in the midst of my yamim; Thy years are dor dorim (throughout all generations).

^25 (26) Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of ha’aretz; and Shomayim is the ma’aseh (work) of Thy hands.

^26 (27) They shall perish, but Thou shalt remain; and all of them shall wear out like a beged (garment); like a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed;

^27 (28) But Thou art the same, and Thy shanot (years) shall have no end.

^28 (29) The children of Thy avadim shall dwell, and their zera shall be established before Thee.

103 (Of Dovid). Barachi (Bless) Hashem, O my nefesh; and all that is within me, bless His Shem kodesh.

² Barachi Hashem, O my nefesh, and forget not all His gmulim (benefits);

³ Who forgiveth all thine avonim (iniquities); Who healeth all thy diseases;

⁴ Who is the Go’el (Redeemer) of thy life from shachat (corruption, pit, grave); Who crowneth thee with chesed and rachamim;

⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with tov; so that thy ne’urim is made chadash like the nesher.

⁶ Hashem executeth tzedakot and mishpatim for all that are oppressed.

⁷ He made known His drakhim unto Moshe, His deeds unto the Bnei Yisroel.

⁸ Hashem is rachum and channun, slow to anger, and plenteous in chesed.

⁹ He will not strive l’netzach; neither will He keep His anger l’olam.

¹⁰ He hath not dealt with us according to chata’einu (our sins); nor repaid us according to avonoteinu (our iniquities).

¹¹ For as Shomayim is high above ha’aretz, so great is His chesed toward them that fear Him.

¹² As far as the mizrach (east) is from the ma’arav (west), so far hath He removed peysha’einu (our transgressions) from us.

¹³ As an av has compassion on banim so Hashem has compassion on them that fear Him.

¹⁴ For He has da’as of yitzreinu (our nature); He remembereth that aphar anachnu (dust we are).

¹⁵ As for enosh (mankind), his yamim are like khatzir (green grass, herbage); like tzitz hasadeh (a flower of the field), so he flourisheth.

¹⁶ For the ruach (wind) passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall remember it no more.

¹⁷ But the chesed Hashem is me’olam v’ad olam (from everlasting to everlasting) upon them that fear Him, and His tzedakah unto bnei banim;

¹⁸ To such as are shomer over His Brit, and to those that remember His precepts to do them.

¹⁹ Hashem hath established His kisse (throne) in Shomayim; and His malchut ruleth over all.

²⁰ Barachu Hashem, ye His malachim, gibborei ko’ach (mighty ones of power), that do His bidding, paying heed unto the voice of His Davar.

²¹ Barachu Hashem, all ye His Tzivos; ye mesharetim (ministers) of His, that do His ratzon (will).

²² Barachu Hashem, all His ma’asim in all places of His memshalet (dominion); Barachi Hashem, O my nefesh.

104 Barachi (bless) Hashem, O my nefesh. Hashem Elohai, Thou art gadol me’od; Thou art clothed with hod (honor) and hadar (majesty).

² Who coverest Thyself with ohr (light) as with a garment; Who stretchest out Shomayim like a tent (curtain);

³ Who layeth the beams of His aliyyot (upper rooms) on the mayim; Who maketh the clouds His merkavah; Who walketh upon the wings of the ruach (wind);

⁴ Who maketh ruchot (spirits, winds) His malachim; His mesharetim (ministers), flaming eish;

⁵ Who laid the mekhonim (foundations) of ha’aretz, that it should not move out of place olam va’ed.

⁶ Thou coveredst it with the tehom (deep) as with a garment; the mayim stood above the harim (mountains).

⁷ At Thy ga’arah (rebuke) they fled; at the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away.

⁸ They go up by the harim (mountains); they go down by the beka’ot (valleys) unto the makom (place) which Thou hast assigned for them.

⁹ Thou hast set a boundary that they [the waters] may not pass over; that they return not to cover ha’aretz.

¹⁰ He sendeth the ma’ayanim (springs) into the ravines, which run among the harim.

¹¹ They give drink to every beast of the sadeh; the pera’im (donkeys) quench their thirst.

¹² By them shall the oph HaShomayim have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

¹³ He watereth the harim from His aliyyot (upper rooms); ha’aretz is satisfied with the p’ri (fruit) of Thy ma’asim.

¹⁴ He causeth the khatzir (grass) to grow for the behemah, and esev for the avodas ha’adam; that he may bring forth lechem out of ha’aretz;

¹⁵ And yayin that maketh glad levav enosh, and shemen to make panim (faces) to shine, and lechem which strengtheneth levav enosh.

¹⁶ The trees of Hashem are full of sap, the arazim (cedars) of Levanon, which He hath planted;

¹⁷ Where the tzipporim (birds) make their nests; as for the khasidah (stork), the beroshim (cypresses) are her bais.

¹⁸ The high hills are a makhseh (refuge, shelter) for the wild goats; and the rocks for the gophers.

¹⁹ He appointed the yarei’ach for mo’adim; the shemesh knoweth the place of its going down.

²⁰ Thou makest choshech, and it is lailah; wherein all the beasts of the ya’ar (forest) do creep forth.

²¹ The young lions roar after their teref (prey), and seek their okhel from G-d.

²² The shemesh ariseth, they retreat, and lay themselves down in their me’onot (dwelling places, dens, homes [Yn 14:2 OJBC]).

²³ Adam goeth forth unto his work and to his avodah (labor, service) until erev.

²⁴ Hashem, how manifold are Thy ma’asim! In chochmah (wisdom; cf Psa 33:6; Yn 1:1) hast Thou made them all; ha’aretz is full of Thy creatures.

²⁵ So is this gadol (great) and rekhav (wide, spacious) yam (sea), wherein are remes (creeping things), innumerable swarming chayyot (creatures), ketanot and gedolot.

²⁶ There go the oniyyot (ships); there is that Leviathan, whom Thou hast made lesakhek (to play, to sport, to frolic) therein.

²⁷ These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their ochel (food) in due season.

²⁸ That Thou givest them they gather; Thou openest Thine yad, they are satisfied with tov.

²⁹ Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled; Thou takest away their ruach, they expire, and return to their aphar.

³⁰ Thou sendest forth Thy Ruach [Hakodesh], they are created; and Thou renewest the face of adamah (earth).

³¹ The Kavod Hashem shall endure l’olam; Hashem shall rejoice in His ma’asim (works).

³² He looketh on ha’aretz, and it trembleth; He toucheth the harim, and they smoke.

³³ I will sing unto Hashem as long as I live; I will sing praise to Elohai while I have my being.

³⁴ May my si’akh (musing, meditation) be acceptable to Him; I will have simchah in Hashem.

³⁵ Let the chatta’im (sinners) be consumed from ha’aretz, and let the resha’im (wicked) be no more. Baruch Hashem, O my nefesh. Praise Hashem!

105 O give thanks unto Hashem; call upon Shmo; make known His deeds among the amim.

² Sing unto Him, sing praise unto Him; talk ye of all His nifle’ot (wondrous works).

³ Glory ye in the Shem Kadosh of Him; let the lev of them that seek Hashem be glad.

⁴ Seek Hashem, and His oz (strength); seek His face tamid.

⁵ Remember His nifla’ot (marvellous works) that He hath done; His mofetim (wonders), and the mishpatim of His mouth;

⁶ O ye zera Avraham His eved, ye Bnei Ya’akov His Bechirim (chosen ones).

⁷ He is Hashem Eloheinu; His mishpatim are in kol ha’aretz.

⁸ He hath remembered His Brit l’olam, the Dvar which He commanded to an elef dor (a thousand generations)

⁹ Which Brit He made with Avraham, and His shevu’ah (oath) unto Yitzchak;

¹⁰ And confirmed the same unto Ya’akov for a chok (decree), and to Yisroel as Brit Olam;

¹¹ Saying, Unto thee will I give Eretz Kena’an, the chevel (lot, portion) of your nachalah.

¹² When they were but few in mispar (number), very few, and gerim (strangers) in it.

¹³ When they went from one goy (nation) to another, from one mamlachah (kingdom) to am acher (another people);

¹⁴ He permitted no adam to oppress them; and He reproved melachim for their sakes;

¹⁵ Saying, Touch not Mine meshichim (anointed ones, My Messianics), and do My nevi’im no harm.

¹⁶ Moreover He called for a ra’av (famine) upon ha’aretz; He broke the kol matteh (whole staff of, all supply of) lechem.

¹⁷ He sent an ish before them, even Yosef, who was sold as an eved (slave);

¹⁸ Whose regel they hurt with the kevel (shackle); his nefesh was laid in barzel;

¹⁹ Until the time that his dvar (prophecy, word) came to pass; the Imrat Hashem (revelation, word of G-d, i.e., revelation of that which set forth saving promises) had tested him.

²⁰ The Melech sent and released him, the Moshel Amim, and set him free.

²¹ He made him adon of his bais, and moshel of all his possessions;

²² To bind [in prison] his sarim (princes) at his pleasure; and teach his zekenim chochmah.

²³ Yisroel also came into Mitzrayim; thus Ya’akov sojourned in Eretz Cham.

²⁴ And He increased Amo (His people) greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

²⁵ He turned their lev to hate Amo, to deal cunningly with His avadim.

²⁶ He sent Moshe His Eved; and Aharon whom He had chosen.

²⁷ They showed His Otot (signs) among them, and mofetim (wonders) in Eretz Cham.

²⁸ He sent choshech, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against His Devar.

²⁹ He turned their mayim into dahm, and made their dag (fish) die.

³⁰ Their land brought forth tzfarde’im (frogs) in abundance, even in the chadarim (rooms) of their melachim.

³¹ He spoke, and there came arov (flies), and kinim (lice) in all their territory.

³² He gave them barad (hail) for geshem (rain), and eish of lightning in their land.

³³ He struck down their gefen also and their te’enah (fig tree); and broke the trees of their territory.

³⁴ He spoke, and the arbeh (locusts) came, and grasshoppers, and that without number,

³⁵ And did eat up all the esev (herbs) in their land, and devoured their p’ri adamah (fruit of the ground).

³⁶ He struck down also kol bechor in their land, the reshit (firstfruit) of all their strength.

³⁷ He brought them forth also with kesef and zahav; and there was not one stumbling among His Shvatim (tribes).

³⁸ Mitzrayim was glad when they departed; for the pachad (terror, dread) of them had fallen upon them.

³⁹ He spread an anan for a curtain; and eish to give light in the lailah.

⁴⁰ The people asked, and He brought slav (quails), and satisfied them with the lechem Shomayim.

⁴¹ He opened the Tzur, and the mayim gushed out; it ran in the dry places like a nahar.

⁴² For He remembered His Davar Kadosh, and Avraham His eved.

⁴³ And He brought forth His people with sasson, and His chosen with joyful shouts;

⁴⁴ And gave them the lands of the Goyim; and they inherited the amal (labor, toil) of the amim;

⁴⁵ That they might be shomer over His chukkot, and observe His torot (laws). Praise Hashem.

106 Praise Hashem! O give thanks unto Hashem; for He is tov; for His chesed endureth l’olam.

² Who can speak of the gevurot (mighty acts) of Hashem? Who can show forth all His tehillah (praise)?

³ Ashrei (happy, blessed) are they who are shomrei mishpat, and he that doeth tzedakah at all times.

⁴ Remember me, Hashem, with the favor that Thou bearest unto Thy people; O visit me with Thy Yeshuah (salvation);

⁵ That I may see the good of Bechireicha (Thy chosen ones), that I may rejoice in the simchah of Thy nation, that I may glory with Thine nachalah (the people of Thy inheritance).

⁶ We have sinned with Avoteinu, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

⁷ Avoteinu had no seichal concerning Thy nifla’ot (wonders) in Mitzrayim; they remembered not the multitude of Thy mercies but provoked Him at the yam, even at the Yam Suf.

⁸ Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of Shmo, that He might make His gevu’rot (mighty power) to be known.

⁹ He rebuked the Yam Suf also, and it dried up; so He led them through the tehomot, as through the midbar.

¹⁰ And He saved them from the yad of him that hated them, and He acted to make the go’el redemption from the yad of the oyev (enemy).

¹¹ And the mayim covered their enemies; there was not echad (one) of them left surviving.

¹² Then believed they in His Devarim; they sang His tehillah.

¹³ Then they hurried, they forgot His ma’asim; they waited not for His etzah (counsel, advice, wisdom);

¹⁴ But lusted exceedingly in the midbar, and tempted G-d in the desert.

¹⁵ And He gave them their she’elah (request); but sent leanness into their nefesh.

¹⁶ They envied Moshe also in the machaneh, and Aharon the kadosh Hashem (Aaron the holy one of Hashem).

¹⁷ Eretz opened and swallowed up Datan and covered over the Adat Aviram (the company of Aviram).

¹⁸ And an eish was kindled in their edah (assembly); the flame burned up the resha’im.

¹⁹ They made an egel (a calf) in Chorev, and worshiped a massekhah (molden image).

²⁰ Thus they exchanged their kavod for a tavnit shor (likeness of an ox) that eateth esev (grass).

²¹ They forgot G-d their Moshi’a, Who had done gedolot in Mitzrayim;

²² Nifla’ot (wondrous works) in Eretz Cham, and nora’ot (awesome things) by the Yam Suf.

²³ Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moshe His bechir (chosen one) stood before Him in the peretz (breach), to turn away His wrath, lest He should destroy them.

²⁴ Then they despised the eretz chemdah (desirable land); they believed not His Devar;

²⁵ But murmured in their ohalim, and paid heed not unto the kol (voice) of Hashem.

²⁶ Therefore [in oath] He lifted up His yad against them, that He would overthrow them in the midbar;

²⁷ To make their zera fall also among the Goyim, and to scatter them among the aratzot (lands).

²⁸ They joined themselves also unto Ba’al-Pe’or, and ate the zivkhei mesim (sacrifices offered to the dead).

²⁹ Thus they provoked Him to anger with their inventions; and the magefah (plague) broke out among them.

³⁰ Then stood up Pinchas, and interposed; and so the magefah (plague) was halted.

³¹ And that was counted unto him for tzedakah l’dor vador ad olam.

³² They angered Him also at the waters of Merivah, so that it went ill with Moshe on their account;

³³ Because they provoked His Ruach [Hakodesh] and he [Moshe] spoke unadvisedly with his sfatayim (lips).

³⁴ They did not destroy the amim (peoples), as Hashem commanded them;

³⁵ But they mingled with the Goyim, and learned their ma’asim (works, customs).

³⁶ And they served their atzabim (idols); which were a mokesh (snare) unto them.

³⁷ And, they sacrificed their banim and their banot unto shedim (demons),

³⁸ And they shed dahm naki (innocent blood), even the dahm of their banim and of their banot, whom they sacrificed unto the atzabei Kena’an (idols of Canaan); and HaAretz was polluted with blood-guilt.

³⁹ Thus they made themselves tameh with their own ma’asim, and went awhoring with their own inventions.

⁴⁰ Therefore was the wrath of Hashem kindled against His people, insomuch that He abhorred His own nachalah.

⁴¹ And He gave them into the yad Goyim; and they that hated them ruled over them.

⁴² Their oyevim also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their yad.

⁴³ Many times did He deliver them; but they provoked Him with their etzah (counsel), and so perished in their avon (iniquity).

⁴⁴ Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their rinnah (cry of grief);

⁴⁵ And He remembered for their sake His Brit, and relented according to the multitude of His chasadim (lovingkindnesses).

⁴⁶ He made them also to be pitied with rachamim by all those that carried them away as captives.

⁴⁷ Hoshieini (save us), Hashem Eloheinu, and gather us from among the Goyim, to give thanks unto Thy Shem Kadosh, and to glory in Thy tehillah (praise).

⁴⁸ Baruch Hashem Elohei Yisroel min haOlam v’ad haOlam; and let kol HaAm say, Omein. Praise Hashem!

107 O give thanks unto Hashem, for He is tov; ki l’olam chasdo (for His mercy endureth forever).

² Let the Geulei Hashem (the redeemed of Hashem) say so, whom He hath redeemed from the yad tzar;

³ And gathered them out of the lands, from the mizrach (east), and from the ma’arav (west), from the tzafon (north), and from the yam (sea).

⁴ They wandered in the midbar in a desolate region; they found no derech to an ir moshav (inhabited city).

⁵ Re’evim (hungry) and tzeme’im (thirsty), their nefesh fainted within them.

⁶ Then they cried unto Hashem in their tzoros, and He delivered them out of their distresses.

⁷ And He led them forth by the derech yesharah that they might go to an ir moshav.

⁸ Oh that men would praise Hashem for His chesed, and for His nifla’ot (wonderful works) to the Bnei Adam!

⁹ For He satisfieth the longing nefesh, and filleth the hungry nefesh with the tov.

¹⁰ Such as sit in choshech and in tzalmavet, being bound in oni and barzel (iron);

¹¹ Because they rebelled against the words of G-d, and despised the atzat Elyon (counsel of the Most High);

¹² Therefore He brought down their lev with amal (toil); they stumbled, and there was no ozer (helper).

¹³ Then they cried out unto Hashem in their tzoros, and He saved them out of their distresses.

¹⁴ He brought them out of choshech and tzalmavet, and broke apart their chains.

¹⁵ Oh that men would praise Hashem for His chesed, and for His nifla’ot (wonderful works) to the Bnei Adam!

¹⁶ For He hath broken down the dlatot nechoshet, and cut asunder the bars of barzel (iron).

¹⁷ Fools because of their derech peysha, and because of their avonot (iniquities), were afflicted.

¹⁸ Their nefesh abhorreth all manner of ochel (food); and they drew near unto the sha’arei mavet (gates of death).

¹⁹ Then they cried unto Hashem in their tzoros, and He saveth them out of their distresses.

²⁰ He sent His Davar, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions [See Yn 1:1, 14; Mt 4:23].

²¹ Oh that men would praise Hashem for His chesed, and for His nifla’ot (wonderful works) to the Bnei Adam!

²² And let them sacrifice the zivkhei todah (sacrifices of thanksgiving), and recount His works with joyful singing.

²³ They that go down to the yam in oniyot (ships), that do business on mayim rabbim (great waters);

²⁴ These have seen the ma’asei Hashem, and His nifla’ot (wonders) in the deep.

²⁵ For He commandeth, and raiseth up a ruach sa’arah (stormy wind), which lifteth up the galim (waves) thereof.

²⁶ They [the galim] mount up to Shomayim, they went down again to the tehomot (depths); their nefesh melted in ra’ah (peril, trouble).

²⁷ They reeled and staggered like a shikkor, and were at their wit’s end.

²⁸ Then they cried unto Hashem in their tzoros, and He brought them out of their distresses.

²⁹ He made the sa’arah (storm) a calm, so that the galim (waves) thereof were still [Mk 4:41].

³⁰ Then were they glad because they were quiet; so He brought them unto their makhoz chefetz (desired haven, city, district, boundary).

³¹ Oh that men would praise Hashem for His chesed, and for His nifla’ot (wonderful works) to the Bnei Adam!

³² Let them exalt Him also in the Kehal Am, and praise Him in the moshav zekenim (council of the elders).

³³ He turneth neharot (rivers) into a midbar, and the springs of water into dry ground;

³⁴ An eretz p’ri (fruitful land) into salt wasteland, because of the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

³⁵ He turneth the midbar into an agam (pool, lake) of mayim, and dry ground into springs of water.

³⁶ And there He maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may found an ir moshav (an inhabited city);

³⁷ And sow the sadot, and plant kramim, and acquire p’ri tevu’ah (fruits of increase).

³⁸ He made a brocha on them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and He doth not permit their behemah to decrease.

³⁹ Again, they are diminished and brought low through otzer (oppression), ra’ah (calamity, peril, trouble) and yagon (sorrow, grief).

⁴⁰ He poureth contempt upon nedivim (nobles), and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no derech.

⁴¹ Yet setteth He the evyon (needy) up above oni (affliction), and maketh him mishpekhot like a tzon (flock).

⁴² The yesharim (upright ones) shall see it, and rejoice with simchah; and all iniquity shall shut its mouth.

⁴³ Whosoever is chacham, and will be shomer over these things, even they shall understand the chasdei Hashem (lovingkindnesses of Hashem).

108 (Shir. Mizmor of Dovid) O Elohim, my lev is nachon; I will sing and make music, even with my kavod (glory, soul).

^2 (3) Awake, nevel and kinnor; I will awaken the shachar (dawn).

^3 (4) I will praise Thee, Hashem, among the peoples; and I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.

^4 (5) For Thy chesed is gadol above Shomayim; and Thy emes reacheth unto the clouds.

^5 (6) Be Thou exalted, Elohim, above Shomayim; and Thy kavod above kol ha’aretz;

^6 (7) That Thy beloved may be delivered; hoshiah (save) with Thy Yamin, and answer me.

^7 (8) Elohim hath spoken in His Kodesh; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and measure out the Valley of Sukkot.

^8 (9) Gil‘ad is Mine; Menasheh is Mine; Ephrayim also is the maoz of Mine rosh; Yehudah is My mechokek (lawgiver);

^9 (10) Moav is My washbasin; over Edom will I toss My na’al (sandal); over Philistia will I shout in triumph.

^10 (11) Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will lead me into Edom?

^11 (12) Wilt not Thou, Elohim, Who hast cast us off? And wilt not Thou, Elohim, go forth with our Tzivos?

^12 (13) Give us help against the enemy; for vain is the teshuat adam (help of man).

^13 (14) Through Elohim we shall do valiantly; for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.

109 (For the one directing. Of Dovid. Mizmor) Hold not Thy peace, O Elohei tehillati;

² For the mouth of the rasha and the mouth of the mirmah are opened against me; they have spoken against me with a leshon sheker (a lying tongue).

³ They surrounded me also with divrei sinah (words of hatred); and attacked me without cause.

⁴ In return for my ahavah they are my adversaries; but I give myself unto tefillah (prayer).

⁵ Thus they have laid upon me ra’ah for tovah, and sinah for my ahavah.

⁶ Set Thou a rasha (wicked man) over him; and let Satan (the Accuser) stand at his yamin (right hand).

⁷ When he shall be tried, let him be in the judgment condemned; and let his tefillah (prayer) become sin.

⁸ Let his yamim be few; and let another take his pekuddat [See Ac 1:20 OJBC].

⁹ Let his banim be yetomim, and his isha an almanah.

¹⁰ Let his banim be continually vagabonds, and beg; let them seek from their ruins.

¹¹ Let the nosheh (creditor) seize all that he hath; and let the zarim (strangers) plunder his labor.

¹² Let there be none to extend chesed unto him; neither let there be any to favor his yetomim.

¹³ Let his posterity be cut off; and in the dor acher (generation following) let their shem be blotted out.

¹⁴ Let the avon of his avot be remembered before Hashem; and let not the chattat immo be blotted out.

¹⁵ Let them be before Hashem tamid, that He may cut off the memory of them from ha’aretz.

¹⁶ Because he remembered not to show chesed, but persecuted the ish oni and the evyon, that he might even slay the nikheh levav (brokenhearted person).

¹⁷ As he loved kelalah (cursing), so it came on him; as he delighted not in brocha (blessing), so it was far from him.

¹⁸ As he clothed himself with kelalah as with his garment, so let it come into his inward parts like mayim, and like shemen into his atzmot.

¹⁹ Let it be unto him like a beged which covereth him, and for a belt wherewith he is girded tamid (continually).

²⁰ This is the reward of mine adversaries from Hashem, and of them that speak rah against my nefesh.

²¹ But Thou O Hashem Adonoi, do with me for the sake of Thy Name; because Thy chesed is tov, deliver Thou me.

²² For I am oni and evyon, and my lev is wounded within me.

²³ I am gone like a lengthening tzel (shadow); I am shaken off like the arbeh.

²⁴ My knees are weak from a tzom; and my basar faileth of fatness.

²⁵ I became also a cherpah (reproach) unto them; when they looked upon me, they shaked their heads.

²⁶ Help me, O Hashem Elohai; O hoshi’eini (save me) according to Thy chesed;

²⁷ That they may know that this is Thy Yad; that Thou, Hashem, hast done it.

²⁸ Let them make kelalah (curse), but do Thou make brocha; when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let Thy eved rejoice.

²⁹ Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own shame, as with a me’il (cloak).

³⁰ I will greatly praise Hashem with my mouth; and, I will praise Him among the multitude.

³¹ For He shall stand at the yamin (right hand) of the evyon (needy), to save him from those that judge with condemnation his nefesh [cf Mt 9:10-11].

110 (Of Dovid. Mizmor). Hashem said unto Adoni [i.e., Moshiach Adoneinu; Malachi 3:1], Sit thou at My right hand, until I make thine enemies a footstool for thy feet.

^2 (3) Hashem shall stretch forth the rod of thy might out of Tziyon; rule thou in the midst of thine [Moshiach’s] enemies [i.e., anti-Moshiachs].

^3 (4) Thy [Moshiach’s Messianic] people, willing in the Day of thy [Moshiach’s called up] Army, will be arrayed in the splendor of kodesh (holiness); from the womb of the dawn, cometh to thee [Moshiach] thy young men [cf Isa 53:10] as the tal (dew) [Rv 19:14].

^4 (5) Hashem hath sworn, and will not relent, Thou [Moshiach] art a kohen l’olam al divrati Malki-Tzedek (kohen forever in respect to the order of Malki-Tzedek; [see Bereshis 14:18; note it is the kohen who makes kapporah for sin—see Leviticus 4:20; Isa 53:8).

^5 (6) Adonoi at thy right hand shall dash melachim (kings) in pieces in the Yom Afo (Day of His Wrath).

^6 (7) He [Adonoi acting through Moshiach] shall judge among the Goyim, He shall heap up geviyyot (corpses); He shall dash in pieces Rosh (Head; Gn 3:15] al Eretz Rabbah (over Great, Whole Earth, cf 2Th 2:8).

⁷ Of the brook in the Derech shall he [Moshiach] drink; therefore shall he lift up [as victor] the Rosh [Moshiach’s head; PP 2:8-10; Ep 4:15].

111 Praise Hashem. I will praise Hashem with kol levav, in the Sod (company, council) of the Yesharim (upright ones), and in the Edah (assembly).

² The ma’asei Hashem are gedolim, derushim (sought out, pondered) of all them that have delight therein.

³ His po’al (deed, work) is glorious and majestic; and His tzedakah (righteousness) endureth forever.

⁴ He hath caused His nifla’ot (wonderful works) to be remembered; Hashem is channun (gracious) and rachum (compassionate).

⁵ He hath given food unto them that fear Him; He will be mindful of His Brit (covenant) l’olam.

⁶ He hath showed His people the ko’ach of His works, that He may give them the nachalat Goyim.

⁷ The works of His hands are emes and mishpat; all His pikkudim (precepts, commands) are ne’emanim (sure, trustworthy ones).

⁸ They stand fast la’ad l’olam (forever and ever), and are done in emes and yashar (uprightness).

⁹ He sent redemption unto His people; He hath ordained His Brit (covenant) l’olam (forever); Kadosh (holy) and Nora (awesome, reverend) is Shmo.

¹⁰ The fear of Hashem is the reshit chochmah; seichel tov have all they that live by it; His tehillah (praise) endureth forever.

112 Praise Hashem. Ashrei is the ish that feareth Hashem, that delighteth greatly in His mitzvot.

² His zera shall be gibbor ba’aretz; the dor (generation) of the Yesharim (upright ones) shall be blessed.

³ Wealth and osher (riches) shall be in his bais; and his tzedakah endureth forever.

⁴ Unto the Yesharim (upright ones) there ariseth ohr in the choshech; he is channun, and rachum, and tzaddik.

⁵ A tov ish is generous, and lendeth; he will guide his affairs with mishpat.

⁶ Surely he shall never falter; the tzaddik shall be in remembrance olam (forever).

⁷ He shall not be afraid of mishmu’ah ra’ah (news of misfortune, evil tidings); his lev is nachon (steadfast), trusting in Hashem.

⁸ His lev is samuch (sustained), he shall not be afraid, until he look in triumph upon his foes.

⁹ He hath contributed freely, he hath given to the evyonim (needy); his tzedakah endureth forever; his keren shall be lifted up in kavod.

¹⁰ The rasha shall see it, and be incensed; he shall gnash his teeth, and waste away; the ta’avot resha’im (desire of the wicked ones) shall come to nothing.

113 Praise ye Hashem. Praise O ye avadim of Hashem, praise the Shem of Hashem.

² Blessed be the Shem of Hashem from this time forth and forevermore.

³ From the rising of the shemesh unto the going down of the same the Shem of Hashem is to be praised.

⁴ Hashem is high above kol Goyim, and His kavod above HaShomayim.

⁵ Who is like unto Hashem Eloheinu, Who dwelleth on high,

⁶ Who stoopeth down to behold the things that are in Shomayim, and in ha’aretz!

⁷ He raiseth up the poor out of the aphar (dust), and lifteth the needy out of the ash heap;

⁸ That he may seat him with princes, even with the princes of amo (His people).

⁹ He settleth the akeret (barren woman) in her bais to be a happy em of banim. Praise ye Hashem.

114 When Yisroel went out of Mitzrayim, Bais Ya’akov from a people of foreign tongue,

² Yehudah was His kodesh (sanctuary), and Yisroel His dominion.

³ The yam saw it, and fled; Yarden was driven back.

⁴ The harim skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.

⁵ What ailed thee, O thou yam, that thou didst flee? Thou Yarden, that thou wast driven back?

⁶ Ye harim, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?

⁷ Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of Hashem, at the presence of Elohei Ya’akov;

⁸ Which turned the rock into a pool of mayim, the flint into a spring of mayim.

115 Not unto us, Hashem, not unto us, but unto Thy Shem give kavod, for the sake of Thy chesed, and for Thy emes.

² Why should the Goyim say, Where is now their Elohim?

³ But Eloheinu is in Shomayim; He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.

⁴ Their atzabim (idols) are kesef and zahav, the ma’aseh (work) of the hands of adam.

⁵ Peh (mouth) they have, but they speak not; einayim (eyes) have they, but they see not;

⁶ Oznayim (ears) they have, but they hear not; af (nose) have they, but they smell not;

⁷ They have hands, but they handle not; raglayim (feet) have they, but they walk not; neither speak they through their garon (throat).

⁸ They that make them will be like them; so is kol asher bote’ach (every one that trusteth) in them.

⁹ O Yisroel, trust thou in Hashem. He is their ezrah (help) and their mogen.

¹⁰ O Bais Aharon, trust thou in Hashem; He is their ezrah (help) and their mogen.

¹¹ The ones fearing Hashem, trust in Hashem; He is their ezrah (help) and their mogen (shield).

¹² Hashem hath been mindful of us; Yevarech. Yevarech es Bais Yisroel; Yevarech es Bais Aharon.

¹³ Yevarech Yirei Hashem (He will bless those who fear Hashem), the ketanim with the gedolim.

¹⁴ May Hashem give you increase, upon you and your banim.

¹⁵ May a barukhah be upon you by Hashem, Oseh Shomayim va’Aretz (Maker of Heaven and Earth).

¹⁶ The heavens, even Shomayim, is Hashem’s, but HaAretz He gave to the Bnei Adam.

¹⁷ The mesim (dead ones) praise not Hashem, neither do any that descend into Dumah (the silent [place of Sheol]).

¹⁸ But we will bless Hashem from this time forth v’ad olam (and to forevermore). Praise Hashem.

116 I love Hashem, because He hath heard my kol (voice), even my techinnah.

² Because He hath inclined His ozen (ear) unto me, therefore will I call upon Him while I have days.

³ Chevlei mavet (pangs of death) encompassed me, and the metzarei She’ol (confines, straitnesses of She’ol) have caught up with me and found me; tzoros and yagon (sorrow) I found.

⁴ Then called I b’Shem Hashem: O Hashem, save my nefesh!

⁵ Channun (gracious) is Hashem, and tzaddik; yes, Eloheinu is merciful.

⁶ Hashem is shomer over the petayim (simple-hearted, helpless); I was in need and li yehoshia (me He saved).

⁷ Return, my nefesh, to thy menuchah (rest, resting place); for Hashem hath dealt bountifully with thee.

⁸ For Thou hast saved my nefesh from mavet (death), mine eye from dimah (tears), and mine regel (foot) from stumbling.

⁹ I will walk before Hashem in the Artzot HaChayim (the Land of the Living). [T.N. Note that I can do that because Moshiach was cut off from there in my place and for my sins—Isa 53:8]

¹⁰ He’emaneti (I believed); therefore have I spoken; I was greatly afflicted.

¹¹ I said in my chafaz (haste, alarm, consternation), Kol HaAdam Kozev (all men are liars).

¹² How shall I repay Hashem for all His benefits to me?

¹³ I will raise the Kos Yeshu’ot (the Cup of Salvation), and call upon Hashem b’Shem (by Name).

¹⁴ I will fulfill my nederim (vows) now in the presence of all His people.

¹⁵ Precious in the eyes of Hashem is the mavet of His Chasidim.

¹⁶ O Hashem, truly I am Thy eved; I am Thy eved, ben amatecha (the son of Thy maid servant); Thou hast removed my chains.

¹⁷ I will sacrifice to Thee the zevach todah (the thanksgiving offering) and will call on the Shem Hashem.

¹⁸ I will fulfill my nederim to Hashem now in the presence of all His people.

¹⁹ In the khatzerot Beis Hashem, in the midst of thee, O Yerushalayim. Praise ye Hashem.

117 O praise Hashem, all ye Goyim; praise Him, all ye peoples.

² For His chesed is mighty toward us; and the Emes Hashem endureth l’olam (forever). Praise ye Hashem.

118 O give thanks unto Hashem; for He is tov; Ki l’olam chasdo (for His mercy endureth forever).

² Let Yisroel now say, Ki l’olam chasdo.

³ Let the Bais Aharon now say, Ki l’olam chasdo.

⁴ Let them now that fear Hashem say, Ki l’olam chasdo,

⁵ I called upon Hashem in distress; Hashem answered me, and set me in a broad place.

⁶ Hashem is on my side; I will not fear; what can adam do unto me?

⁷ Hashem taketh my part through them that help me; therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

⁸ It is better to trust in Hashem than to put confidence in adam.

⁹ It is better to trust in Hashem than to put confidence in nedivim (nobles).

¹⁰ All Goyim surrounded me; but in the Shem Hashem will I cut them off.

¹¹ They surrounded me; yes, they compassed me about; but in the Shem Hashem I will cut them off.

¹² They compassed me about like devorim (bees); they are extinguished like the eish of kotzim (thorns); for in the Shem Hashem I will cut them off.

¹³ Thou hast hard pushed at me that I fell; but Hashem helped me.

¹⁴ Hashem is my oz (strength) and zimrah (song), and He is become my Yeshuah (salvation).

¹⁵ The voice of rejoicing and Yeshuah (salvation) is in the ohalim of the tzaddikim; the Yamin Hashem doeth valiantly.

¹⁶ The Yamin Hashem is exalted; the Yamin Hashem doeth valiantly.

¹⁷ I shall not die, but live, and declare the ma’asim (works) of Hashem.

¹⁸ Hashem hath hard chastened me severely; but He hath not given me over unto mavet (death).

¹⁹ Open to me the sha’arei tzedek; I will go through them, and I will praise Hashem;

²⁰ This is the sha’ar of Hashem, into which the tzaddikim shall enter.

²¹ I will praise Thee; for Thou hast heard me, and art become my Yeshuah (salvation).

²² The Even (Stone) which the Bonim (Builders) rejected [mem-alef-samech, see same word Psalm 89:38 (39)] has become the Rosh Pinnah (Cornerstone).

²³ This is Hashem’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

²⁴ This is the yom which Hashem hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

²⁵ Save now, we beseech Thee, Hashem; Hashem, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.

²⁶ Baruch habah b’Shem Hashem; we have blessed you from the Beis Hashem.

²⁷ Hashem is G-d, Who hath showed us light; bind the chag (festival offering) with cords, even until [you come to] the karnot of the Mizbe’ach.

²⁸ Thou art my G-d, and I will praise Thee; Thou art Elohai, I will exalt Thee.

²⁹ O give thanks unto Hashem; for He is tov; ki l’olam chasdo (for His mercy endureth forever). [T.N. A ma’amin b’Moshiach will carry Scripture with him at all times, as the following Psalm teaches.]

119 ALEF Ashrei are the blameless ones in the derech, who walk in the torat Hashem.

² Ashrei are they that keep His edot (testimonies), and that seek Him with kol lev.

³ They also do no iniquity; they walk in His drakhim.

⁴ Thou hast commanded us to be diligently shomer over Thy pikkudim (precepts).

⁵ O that my drakhim were directed to be shomer over Thy chukkot (statutes)!

⁶ Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy mitzvot.

⁷ I will praise Thee with yosher levav (uprightness of heart) when I shall have learned Thy righteous mishpatim (ordinances).

⁸ I will keep Thy chukkot; O forsake me not utterly. BEIS

⁹ How shall a na’ar cleanse his way? By being shomer thereto according to Thy Davar (Word).

¹⁰ With my kol lev have I sought Thee; O let me not wander from Thy mitzvot.

¹¹ Thy word have I hid in my lev, lema’an (so that) I might not sin against Thee.

¹² Baruch atah, Adonoi; teach me Thy chukkot.

¹³ With my sfatayim (lips) have I declared all the mishpatim of Thy mouth.

¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the derech of Thy edot (testimonies), as much as in all riches.

¹⁵ I will meditate in Thy pikkudim, and consider Thy orkhot (paths).

¹⁶ I will delight myself in Thy chukkot; I will not forget Thy Davar. GIMEL

¹⁷ Deal bountifully with Thy eved, that I may live, and be shomer over Thy Davar.

¹⁸ Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold nifla’ot out of Thy torah.

¹⁹ I am a ger on ha’aretz; hide not Thy mitzvot from me.

²⁰ My nefesh is shattered with ta’avah for Thy mishpatim at all times.

²¹ Thou hast rebuked the zedim (arrogant ones) that are arurim (cursed ones), which do wander from Thy mitzvot.

²² Remove from me cherpah (reproach) and contempt; for I have kept Thy edot (testimonies).

²³ Though sarim (princes) also sit and speak slander against me, yet Thy eved meditates on Thy chukkot.

²⁴ Thy edot (testimonies) also are my delight and anshei atzati (my counsellors). DALET

²⁵ My nefesh has deveykus unto the aphar; revive Thou me according to Thy Davar.

²⁶ I have recounted my drakhim, and Thou heardest me; teach me Thy chukkot.

²⁷ Make me to understand the derech of Thy pikkudim; so shall I meditate on Thy nifla’ot.

²⁸ My nefesh drops with heavy sorrow; strengthen Thou me according unto Thy Davar.

²⁹ Remove from me the derech sheker; and graciously grant me Thy torah.

³⁰ I have chosen the derech emunah; thy mishpatim have I accounted worthy.

³¹ I have deveykus with Thy edot (testimonies); Hashem, let me not be ashamed.

³² I will run the derech of Thy mitzvot, for Thou shalt set my lev free. HEH

³³ Teach me, Hashem, the derech of Thy chukkot; and I shall keep it unto the end.

³⁴ Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy torah; yes, I shall be shomer over it with my kol lev.

³⁵ Make me to go in the path of Thy mitzvot; for therein do I delight.

³⁶ Incline my lev unto Thy edot, and not to betza (covetousness, selfish gain).

³⁷ Turn away mine eyes from beholding shav (vanity); and revive Thou me in Thy derech.

³⁸ Establish Thy word unto Thy eved, which is for the fear of Thee.

³⁹ Turn away my cherpah (reproach) which I fear; for Thy mishpatim are tovim.

⁴⁰ Hinei, I have longed after Thy precepts; revive me in Thy tzedakah. VAV

⁴¹ Let Thy chasadim come also unto me, Hashem, even Thy Teshu’ah (salvation), according to Thy word.

⁴² So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me; for I trust in Thy Davar.

⁴³ And take not the devar emes utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in Thy mishpatim.

⁴⁴ So shall I be shomer over Thy torah tamid l’olam va’ed.

⁴⁵ And I will walk freely in a wide place; for I seek Thy pikkudim.

⁴⁶ I will speak of Thy edot (testimonies) also before melachim, and will not be ashamed.

⁴⁷ And I will delight myself in Thy mitzvot, which I love.

⁴⁸ My palms also will I lift up unto Thy mitzvot, which I love; and I will meditate on Thy chukkot. ZAYIN

⁴⁹ Remember the davar to Thy eved, on which Thou hast made me hope.

⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my oni (affliction); for Thy word hath revived me.

⁵¹ The zedim (arrogant ones) have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not turned aside from Thy torah.

⁵² I remembered Thy mishpatim from of old, Hashem; and have comforted myself.

⁵³ Zalafah (indignation) hath taken hold upon me because of the resha’im that forsake Thy torah.

⁵⁴ Thy chukkot have been my zemirot (songs) in the bais of my pilgrimage.

⁵⁵ I have remembered Thy Shem, Hashem, in the lailah, and have been shomer over Thy torah.

⁵⁶ Zot hayetah li, because I kept Thy pikkudim. CHET

⁵⁷ Thou art my chelek, Hashem; I have said I would be shomer over Thy words.

⁵⁸ I sought Thy Face with my kol lev; be gracious unto me according to Thy word.

⁵⁹ I thought on my drakhim, and turned my feet unto Thy edot (testimonies).

⁶⁰ I made haste, and delayed not to be shomer over Thy mitzvot.

⁶¹ The ropes of the resha’im have bound me; but I have not forgotten Thy torah.

⁶² At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous mishpatim.

⁶³ I am a chaver of all them that fear Thee, and of them that are shomer over Thy pikkudim.

⁶⁴ Ha’aretz, Hashem, is full of Thy chesed; teach me Thy chukkot. TET

⁶⁵ Thou hast dealt well with Thy eved, Hashem, according unto Thy word.

⁶⁶ Teach me good judgment and da’as; for I have believed in Thy mitzvot.

⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I been shomer over Thy word.

⁶⁸ Thou art tov, and doest tov; teach me Thy chukkot.

⁶⁹ The zedim (arrogant ones) have forged a sheker against me; but I will keep Thy pikkudim with my kol lev.

⁷⁰ Their lev is callous like chelev; I delight in Thy torah.

⁷¹ It is tov for me that I have been afflicted l’ma’an (in order that) I might learn Thy chukkot.

⁷² The torah of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of zahav and kesef. ' YOD

⁷³ Thy hands have made me and established me: give me understanding, that I may learn Thy mitzvot.

⁷⁴ They that fear Thee will be glad when they see me; for I have hoped in Thy Davar.

⁷⁵ I know, Hashem, Thy mishpatim are tzedek, and Thou in emunah (faithfulness) hast afflicted me.

⁷⁶ Let now Thy chesed be for my comfort, according to Thy word unto Thy eved.

⁷⁷ Let Thy rachamim come unto me, that I may live: for Thy torah is my delight.

⁷⁸ Let the zedim (arrogant ones) be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate on Thy pikkudim (percepts).

⁷⁹ Let those that fear Thee turn unto me, and those that have known Thy edot.

⁸⁰ Let my lev be tamim (blameless, complete) in Thy chukkot; that I be not ashamed. Kaf

⁸¹ My nefesh fainteth for Thy salvation: but I hope in Thy davar.

⁸² Mine eyes fail for Thy word saying, Mosai (when) wilt Thou comfort me?

⁸³ For I am become like a wineskin in the smoke; yet do I not forget Thy chukkot.

⁸⁴ How many are the days of Thy eved? Mosai (when) wilt Thou execute mishpat on them that persecute me?

⁸⁵ The zedim (arrogant ones) have dug pits for me, which are not in accordance with Thy torah.

⁸⁶ All Thy mitzvot are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help Thou me.

⁸⁷ They had almost consumed me ba’aretz; but I forsook not Thy pikkudim.

⁸⁸ Revive me after Thy chesed; so shall I be shomer over the edut of Thy mouth. Lamed

⁸⁹ Forever, Hashem, Thy Davar is settled and stands firm in Shomayim.

⁹⁰ Thy emunah (faithfulness) is to all generations: Thou hast established eretz, and it stands enduring.

⁹¹ They continue enduring to this day according to Thine mishpatim: for all things are Thy avadim.

⁹² Unless Thy torah had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine oni.

⁹³ I will never forget Thy pikkudim: for with them Thou hast revived me.

⁹⁴ I am Thine, save me: for I have sought out Thy pikkudim.

⁹⁵ The resha’im have waited for me to destroy me: but I will think on Thy edot.

⁹⁶ I have seen an end of all perfection: but Thy mitzvah is boundless. Mem

⁹⁷ O how I love Thy torah! It is my meditation kol hayom.

⁹⁸ Thou through Thy mitzvot hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

⁹⁹ I have more understanding than every melamed of mine: for Thy edot are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the zekenim, for I keep Thy pikkudim.

¹⁰¹ I have refrained my feet from every orakh rah, in order that I might be shomer over Thy Devar.

¹⁰² I have not departed from Thy mishpatim: for Thou hast taught me.

¹⁰³ How sweet are Thy words unto my palate! Sweeter than devash to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴ Through Thy pikkudim I get understanding: therefore I hate every orakh sheker. Nun

¹⁰⁵ Thy word is a ner unto my feet, ohr unto my path.

¹⁰⁶ I have sworn a shevuah, and I will perform it, that I will keep Thy righteous mishpatim.

¹⁰⁷ I am afflicted very much: revive me, Hashem, according unto Thy word.

¹⁰⁸ Accept the nidvot of my mouth, O Hashem, and teach me Thy mishpatim.

¹⁰⁹ My nefesh is continually in my yad: yet do I not forget Thy torah.

¹¹⁰ The resha’im have laid a pach for me: yet I erred not from Thy pikkudim.

¹¹¹ Thy edot have I taken as a heritage forever: for they are the sasson lev of me.

¹¹² I have inclined mine lev to perform Thy chukkot forever, even unto the end. Samech

¹¹³ I hate the doubleminded: but Thy torah do I love.

¹¹⁴ Thou art my seter (hiding place) and my mogen: I hope in Thy Devar.

¹¹⁵ Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the mitzvot of Elohai.

¹¹⁶ Uphold me according unto Thy imrah, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed from my hope.

¹¹⁷ Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto Thy chukkot continually.

¹¹⁸ Thou hast rejected all them that err from Thy chukkot: for their deceitfulness is sheker (falsehood).

¹¹⁹ Thou puttest away all resha’im of eretz like dross; therefore I love Thy edot.

¹²⁰ My basar trembleth for fear of Thee; and I am afraid of Thy mishpatim. AYIN

¹²¹ I have done mishpat and tzedek; leave me not to mine oppressors.

¹²² Be surety for Thy eved for good; let not the zedim (arrogant ones) oppress me.

¹²³ Mine eyes fail for Thy Yeshuah (salvation), and for the word of Thy tzedakah.

¹²⁴ Deal with Thy eved according unto Thy chesed, and teach me Thy chukkot.

¹²⁵ I am Thy eved; give me understanding, that I may know Thy edot (testimonies).

¹²⁶ It is time for Thee, Hashem, to work; for they have made void Thy torah.

¹²⁷ Therefore I love Thy mitzvot above zahav; yes, above fine gold.

¹²⁸ Therefore I esteem right all Thy pikkudim concerning all things; and I hate every orakh sheker. PEH

¹²⁹ Thy edot (testimonies) are wonderful; therefore doth my nefesh keep them.

¹³⁰ The petach (entrance, doorway) of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

¹³¹ I opened my mouth, and panted; for I longed for Thy mitzvot.

¹³² Look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as Thy manner is unto those that love Shimcha.

¹³³ Order my footsteps in Thy imrah; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

¹³⁴ Redeem me from the oppression of adam; so will I keep Thy pikkudim.

¹³⁵ Make Thy face to shine upon Thy eved; and teach me Thy chukkot.

¹³⁶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, for they are not shomer over Thy torah. TZADDI

¹³⁷ Righteous art Thou, Hashem, and yashar are Thy mishpatim.

¹³⁸ Thy edot (testimonies) that Thou hast commanded are tzedek and emunah me’od (very faithful).

¹³⁹ My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten Thy devarim.

¹⁴⁰ Thy word is very tested; therefore Thy eved loveth it.

¹⁴¹ I am small and despised; yet do not I forget Thy pikkudim.

¹⁴² Thy tzedakah is tzedek l’olam, and Thy torah emes.

¹⁴³ Tzoros and anguish have taken hold on me; yet Thy mitzvot are my delight.

¹⁴⁴ The tzedek of Thy edot is l’olam; give me understanding, and I shall live. KOPH

¹⁴⁵ I cried with my kol lev; hear me, Hashem; I will keep Thy chukkot.

¹⁴⁶ I cried unto Thee; save me, and I shall be shomer over Thy edot (testimonies).

¹⁴⁷ I rose before the dawn, and cried out for help; I hoped in Thy Davar.

¹⁴⁸ Mine eyes are awake through the ashmurot (night watches), that I might meditate on Thy word.

¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according unto Thy chesed; Hashem, revive me according to Thy mishpat.

¹⁵⁰ They draw near that follow after wicked schemes; they are far from Thy torah.

¹⁵¹ Thou art karov (near), Hashem; and all Thy mitzvot are emes.

¹⁵² Concerning Thy edot (testimonies), I have known of old that Thou hast founded them forever. RESH

¹⁵³ Consider mine oni (affliction), and deliver me; for I do not forget Thy torah.

¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause; for me make go’el redemption; revive me according to Thy word.

¹⁵⁵ Yeshuah (salvation) is far from the resha’im, for they seek not Thy chukkot.

¹⁵⁶ Great are Thy rachamim, Hashem; revive me according to Thy mishpatim.

¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not turn aside from Thy edot.

¹⁵⁸ I beheld the bogedim, and was grieved because they were not shomer over Thy word.

¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love Thy pikkudim; revive me, Hashem, according to Thy chesed.

¹⁶⁰ Thy word is emes from the beginning; and every one of Thy righteous mishpatim endureth forever. SHIN

¹⁶¹ Sarim (princes) have persecuted me without a cause; but my lev standeth in awe of Thy Davar.

¹⁶² I rejoice at Thy imrah (word), as one that findeth great plunder.

¹⁶³ I hate and abhor sheker; but Thy torah do I love.

¹⁶⁴ Shevah times a day do I praise Thee because of Thy righteous mishpatim.

¹⁶⁵ Great shalom have they which love Thy torah; nothing shall cause them to stumble.

¹⁶⁶ Hashem, I have hoped for Thy Yeshuah (salvation), and do Thy mitzvot.

¹⁶⁷ My nefesh is shomer over Thy edot (testimonies); and I love them exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸ I have kept Thy pikkudim and Thy edot; for all my ways are before Thee. TAV

¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come near before Thee, Hashem; give me understanding according to Thy Davar.

¹⁷⁰ Let my techinnah come before Thee; deliver me according to Thy word.

¹⁷¹ My lips shall utter tehillah, when Thou hast taught me Thy chukkot.

¹⁷² My leshon shall speak of Thy word; for all Thy mitzvot are tzedek.

¹⁷³ Let Thine Yad help me; for I have chosen Thy pikkudim.

¹⁷⁴ I have longed for Thy Yeshuah (salvation), Hashem; and Thy torah is my delight.

¹⁷⁵ Let my nefesh live, and it shall praise Thee; and let Thy mishpatim sustain me.

¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a seh oved (lost sheep); seek Thy eved; for I do not forget Thy mitzvot.

120 (Shir HaMa’a- lot [Song of Ascents]) In my tzoros I cried unto Hashem, and He heard me.

² Save my nefesh, Hashem, from sefat sheker (lying lips), and from lashon remiyyah (a tongue of deceit).

³ What shall be given unto thee? Or what shall be done unto thee, thou lashon remiyyah?

⁴ Sharp khitzim (arrows) of the gibbor, with burning (charcoal) coals of the broom plant.

⁵ Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell in the ohalim of Kedar!

⁶ My nefesh hath long dwelt with him that hateth shalom.

⁷ I am for shalom; but when I speak, they are for milchamah (war).

121 (Shir HaMa’alot) I will lift up mine eyes unto the harim (hills), from whence cometh ezri (my help).

² Ezri (my help) cometh from Hashem, Oseh Shomayim v’Aretz.

³ He will not allow thy regel to slip; He that is shomer over thee will not slumber.

⁴ Hinei, He that is shomer over Yisroel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ Hashem is the One shomer over thee; Hashem is thy shade upon thy right hand.

⁶ The shemesh shall not strike thee by day, nor the yarei’ach by night.

⁷ Hashem shall preserve thee from kol rah; He shall preserve thy nefesh.

⁸ Hashem shall be shomer over thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even v’ad olam.

122 (Shir HaMa’alot, [Song of Ascents] of Dovid). I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the Bais Hashem.

² Our feet shall stand within thy she’arim, O Yerushalayim.

³ Yerushalayim is built as an Ir bound firmly together;

⁴ That is where the Shevatim (tribes) go up, the Shivtei Hashem, according to the edut l’Yisroel (the statute to Yisroel), to give thanks unto the Shem of Hashem.

⁵ For there are set kise’ot l’mishpat (thrones of judgment), the kise’ot of the Bais Dovid.

⁶ Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim (pray for the peace of Jerusalem); they shall prosper that love thee.

⁷ Shalom be within thy wall, and security within thy citadels.

⁸ L’ma’an (for the sake of) my achim and companions, I will now say, Shalom be within thee.

⁹ L’ma’an the Bais Hashem Eloheinu I will seek thy tov.

123 (Shir HaMa’alot, [Song of Ascents]) Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in Shomayim.

² Hinei, as the eyes of avadim look unto the yad adoneihem, and as the eyes of a shifchah (maiden) unto the yad of her gevirah; so our eyes wait upon Hashem Eloheinu, until He have channun (favor, grace) upon us.

³ Channenu Hashem, channenu; for we are more than sated with buz (contempt).

⁴ Nafsheinu (our nefesh) is more than sated with the scorn of those that are at ease, and with the buz (contempt) of the g’eiyonim (proud ones, arrogant ones).

124 (Shir HaMa’alot, [Song of Ascents] of Dovid). If it had not been Hashem Who was lanu (for us, on our side), now may Yisroel say;

² If it had not been Hashem Who was lanu, when adam (man) rose up against us;

³ Then they had swallowed us up chayyim (alive); when their wrath was kindled against us;

⁴ Then the mayim would have overwhelmed us, the torrent would have swept over nafsheinu (our nefesh); (Shir HaMa’alot, [Song of

⁵ Then the mayim hazedonim (treacherous waters) would have swept over nafsheinu (our nefesh).

⁶ Baruch Hashem, Who hath not given us up as a prey to their shinayim (teeth).

⁷ Nafsheinu (our nefesh) is escaped as a tzippor (bird) out of the pach (snare of the fowlers); the pach is broken, and we are escaped.

⁸ Ezreinu (our help) B’Shem Hashem Oseh Shomayim vaAretz.

125 Ascents]). They that trust in Hashem shall be as Mt Tziyon, which is immoveable, and abideth l’olam.

² As harim (the mountains) surround Yerushalayim, so Hashem surrounds His people from henceforth v’ad olam (and to forever).

³ For the shevet (scepter) of the resha shall not rest upon the goral (allotment, property) of the tzaddikim; lest the tzaddikim put forth their hands unto iniquity.

⁴ Do good, Hashem, unto the tovim, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

⁵ As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Hashem shall turn them away with the workers of iniquity; but shalom shall be upon Yisroel.

126 Ascents]) When Hashem brought the return of the captivity of Tziyon, we were like the cholemim (them that dream).

² Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and leshoneinu (our tongue) with rinnah (Shir HaMa’alot, [Song of (joyful song); then said they among the Goyim, Hashem hath done great things for them.

³ Hashem hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

⁴ Return our captivity and restore our fortunes, Hashem, like torrents in the Negev.

⁵ They that sow in dimah (tears) shall reap in rinnah (joyful song).

⁶ He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing meshek hazara (seed to be sown) shall doubtless come again with rinnah, bearing his alummot (sheaves [of harvest]).

127 (Shir HaMa’alot, of Shlomo). Except Hashem build the bais, they that build it labor in vain; except Hashem is shomer over the city, the shomair (watchman) stands guard in vain.

² It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the lechem ha’atzavim (bread of toils); for so He giveth his beloved sleep.

³ Hinei, banim are nachalat Hashem; and the p’ri habeten is a zachar (reward).

⁴ As khitzim (arrows) are in the yad of a gibbor; so are bnei haneurim (children born in one’s youth).

⁵ Ashrei hagever that hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the oyevim basha’ar (enemy at the gate).

128 (Shir HaMa’alot) Ashrei kol yerei (fearers of) Hashem; that walketh in His drakhim.

² For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands; happy shalt thou be, and it shall be tov with thee.

³ Thy isha shall be as a fruitful gefen inside thine bais; thy banim like olive shoots around thy shulchan.

⁴ Hinei, thus shall the gever be blessed that feareth Hashem.

⁵ Hashem shall bless thee out of Tziyon; and thou shalt see the tov of Yerushalayim all the days of thy life.

⁶ Yea, thou shalt see thy bnei banim, and shalom upon Yisroel.

129 (Shir HaMa’alot) Many a time have they afflicted me from my ne’ur, may Yisroel now say;

² Many a time have they afflicted me from my ne’ur (youth); yet they have not prevailed against me.

³ The choreshim (plowers) plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.

⁴ Hashem is tzaddik; He hath cut asunder the cords of the resha’im.

⁵ Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Tziyon [i.e, all anti-Semites].

⁶ Let them be as the khatzir (grass) upon the housetops, which withereth before it groweth up;

⁷ With it the kotzer (reaper) filleth not his yad; nor he that gathereth sheaves, his bosom.

⁸ Neither do they which go by say, Birkat Hashem be upon you; we bless you b’Shem Hashem.

130 (Shir HaMa’alot) Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, Hashem.

² Adonoi, hear my voice; let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my techinnot (supplications).

³ If Thou, Hashem, shouldest record iniquities, Adonoi, who could stand?

⁴ But there is selichah (forgiveness) with Thee; therefore, Thou art feared.

⁵ I wait for Hashem, my nefesh doth wait, and in His Devar do I hope.

⁶ My nefesh waiteth for Adonoi more than the shomrim that watch for the boker; I say, more than the shomrim that watch for the boker.

⁷ Let Yisroel hope in Hashem; for with Hashem there is chesed, and with Him is plenteous pedut (redemption).

⁸ And He shall redeem Yisroel from all his iniquities.

131 (Shir HaMa’alot, of Dovid). Hashem, my lev is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in gedolot, or in things too high for me.

² Surely I have stilled and quieted my nefesh, as a child that is weaned of immo; my nefesh is even as a weaned child.

³ Let Yisroel hope in Hashem from henceforth and ad olam.

132 (Shir HaMa’alot) Hashem, remember Dovid, and all his afflictions;

² How he swore unto Hashem, and vowed unto Avir Ya’akov (the Mighty One of Ya’akov);

³ Surely I will not come into the ohel of my bais, nor go up into my bed;

⁴ I will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor tenumah (slumber) to mine eyelids,

⁵ Until I find a makom (place) for Hashem, even mishkanot for the Avir Ya’akov.

⁶ Hinei, we heard of it at Ephratah; we found it in the sedei Ya’ar (fields of Ya’ar).

⁷ We will go into His mishkanot; we will worship at the hadom (footstool) of His raglayim.

⁸ Arise, Hashem, into Thy menuchah (resting place); Thou, and the Aron of Thy oz (might).

⁹ Let Thy Kohanim be clothed with tzedek; and let Thy chasidim sing for joy.

¹⁰ For the sake of Dovid Thy Eved, do not turn away the face of Thine Moshiach [see Isa 52:13; 53:11].

¹¹ Hashem hath sworn in emes unto Dovid; He will not turn from His oath: Of the p’ri (fruit) of thy beten (body) will I set upon thy kisse (throne).

¹² If thy Banim are shomer over My Brit and My Edot that I shall teach them, their Banim shall also sit upon thy kisse adei-ad (forevermore).

¹³ For Hashem hath chosen Tziyon; He hath desired her for His moshav.

¹⁴ This is My menuchah (resting place) adei-ad (forever); here will I dwell; for I have desired her.

¹⁵ I will place a bountiful brocha on her provision; I will satisfy her poor with lechem.

¹⁶ I will also clothe her Kohanim with Yesha (salvation); and her chasidim shall sing aloud for joy.

¹⁷ There atzmi’ach (I will make sprout i.e., Tzemach) the Keren of Dovid; I have ordained a ner (lamp) for My Moshiach.

¹⁸ His oyevim will I clothe with boshet (shame); but upon him [Moshiach] shall his nezer (crown) be resplendent.

133 (Shir HaMa’alot, of Dovid). Hinei, mah tov umah na’im shevet achim gahm yachad (how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity)!

² It is like the precious shemen upon the rosh, that ran down upon the beard, even Aharon’s beard; that went down to the collar of his robes;

³ As the tal of Chermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Tziyon; for there Hashem commanded the brocha, even Chayyim Ad Olam.

134 (Shir HaMa’alot) Hinei, barakhu Hashem, kol avedei Hashem, which balailah stand [ministering] in the Bais Hashem.

² Lift up your hands in the Kodesh [Beis Hamikdash], and barakhu Hashem.

³ Yevarekhecha Adonoi from Tziyon, Oseh Shomayim v’Aretz (the Maker of Heaven and Earth).

135 Praise Hashem. Halelu Shem Hashem; Halelu, O ye avadim of Hashem.

² Ye that stand ministering in the Beis Hashem, in the khatzerot Beis Eloheinu.

³ Praise Hashem; for Hashem is tov; sing praise unto Shmo; for it is na’im (lovely, pleasing).

⁴ For Hashem hath chosen Ya’akov unto Himself, and Yisroel for His segullah (peculiar treasure).

⁵ For I know that Hashem is gadol, and that Adoneinu is above kol elohim.

⁶ Whatsoever Hashem pleases, that He does in Shomayim, and in HaAretz, in HaYam, and kol tehomot.

⁷ He causeth the clouds to ascend at the end of HaAretz; He maketh lightning for the matar (rain); He bringeth the ruach out of His otzarot.

⁸ Who struck down the Bechorei Mitzrayim, both of adam and behemah.

⁹ Who sent otot and mofetim into the midst of thee, O Mitzrayim, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his avadim.

¹⁰ Who struck down Goyim rabbim, and slaughtered melachim atzumim (powerful kings);

¹¹ Sichon Melech HaEmori, and Og Melech HaBashan, and all the mamlechot Kena’an;

¹² And gave their land for a nachalah, an inheritance unto Yisroel Amo (His people).

¹³ Thy Shem, Hashem, endureth l’olam; and Thy remembrance, Hashem, l’dor vador.

¹⁴ For Hashem will vindicate His people; He will have compassion on His avadim.

¹⁵ The idols of the Goyim are kesef and zahav, the ma’aseh yedei adam.

¹⁶ They have mouths, but they speak not; einayim have they, but they see not;

¹⁷ They have oznayim, but they hear not; neither is there any ruach in their mouths.

¹⁸ They that oseihem (make them) will be like them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

¹⁹ Barakhu Hashem, O Bais Yisroel; barakhu Hashem, O Bais Aharon;

²⁰ Barakhu Hashem, O Bais HaLevi; ye that fear Hashem, barakhu Hashem.

²¹ Baruch Hashem out of Tziyon, which dwelleth at Yerushalayim. Praise Hashem.

136 O give thanks unto Hashem; for He is tov; ki l’olam chasdo (His chesed indures forever).

² O give thanks unto Elohei HaElohim; ki l’olam chasdo.

³ O give thanks to Adonei HaAdonim; ki l’olam chasdo.

⁴ To Him Who alone doeth nifla’ot gedolot; ki l’olam chasdo.

⁵ To Him that by tevunah (understanding) made HaShomayim; ki l’olam chasdo.

⁶ To Him that stretched out ha’aretz above the mayim; ki l’olam chasdo.

⁷ To Him that made ohrim gedolim (great lights); ki l’olam chasdo.

⁸ The shemesh to rule by yom; ki l’olam chasdo.

⁹ The yarei’ach and kokhavim to rule by lailah; ki l’olam chasdo.

¹⁰ To Him that struck down Mitzrayim in their bechorot (firstborn); ki l’olam chasdo.

¹¹ And brought out Yisroel from among them; ki l’olam chasdo.

¹² With a yad chazakah, and with a stretched out zero’a; ki l’olam chasdo.

¹³ To Him Who divided asunder Yam Suf; ki l’olam chasdo.

¹⁴ And made Yisroel to pass through the midst of it; ki l’olam chasdo.

¹⁵ But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Yam Suf; ki l’olam chasdo.

¹⁶ To Him Who led His people through the midbar; ki l’olam chasdo.

¹⁷ To Him Who struck down melachim gedolim; ki l’olam chasdo.

¹⁸ And slaughtered mighty melachim; ki l’olam chasdo.

¹⁹ Sichon Melech HaEmori; ki l’olam chasdo.

²⁰ And Og Melech HaBashan; ki l’olam chasdo.

²¹ And gave their land for a nachalah; ki l’olam chasdo.

²² Even a nachalah unto Yisroel His eved; ki l’olam chasdo.

²³ Who remembered us in our low estate; ki l’olam chasdo.

²⁴ And hath released us from our enemies; ki l’olam chasdo.

²⁵ Who giveth lechem to kol basar; ki l’olam chasdo.

²⁶ O give thanks unto the G-d of Shomayim; ki l’olam chasdo.

137 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yes, we wept, when we remembered Tziyon.

² We hung up our kinnorot (lyres) upon the willows in the midst thereof.

³ For there they that carried us away captive required of us a shir (song); and they that tormented us required of us simchah, saying, Sing us one of the Shir Tziyon.

⁴ How shall we sing Shir Hashem in an admat nekhar (foreign land).

⁵ If I forget thee, O Yerushalayim, let my yamin (right hand) forget [i.e., have paralysis].

⁶ If I do not remember thee, let my leshon cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Yerushalayim above my rosh simchah (chief joy).

⁷ Remember, Hashem, the Bnei Edom in the Yom Yerushalayim; who said, Raze it, raze it, even to the yesod (foundation) thereof.

⁸ O Bat Bavel, who art to be destroyed, ashrei shall he be, that repayeth thee the gemul thou hast done to us.

⁹ Ashrei shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy olalim against the sela.

138 (Of Dovid) I will thank Thee with my whole lev; before the elohim will I sing praise unto Thee.

² I will worship toward Thy Heikhal Kodesh, and praise Shmecha (Thy Name) for Thy chesed and for Thy emes; for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above Kol Shimcha (all Thy Name; Yn 1:1, 14 OJBC).

³ In the day when I called out, Thou answeredst me, and madest me bold with oz (strength) in my nefesh.

⁴ Kol Malchei Aretz shall praise Thee, Hashem, when they hear the words of Thy mouth.

⁵ Yes, they shall sing of the Darkhei Hashem; for gadol is the Kavod Hashem.

⁶ Though Hashem be on high, yet He looks upon the lowly; but the proud He knoweth from afar.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of tzoros, Thou wilt preserve me alive; Thou shalt stretch forth Thine yad against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy Yamin (Right Hand) shall save me.

⁸ Hashem will fulfill that which concerneth me; Thy chesed, O Hashem, endureth l’olam; forsake not the works of Thine own yadayim.

139 (For the one directing, Mizmor of Dovid). Hashem, Thou hast searched me, and known me.

² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou hast binah of my thought from afar off.

³ Thou comprehendeth my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my drakhim.

⁴ For there is not a milah (word) in my leshon, but, lo, Hashem, Thou knowest it altogether.

⁵ Thou hast enclosed me achor (behind) and kedem (before), and laid Thine hand upon me.

⁶ Such da’as is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

⁷ To where can I go from Thy Ruach [Hakodesh]? Or to where shall I flee from Thy presence?

⁸ If I ascend up into Shomayim, Thou art there; if I make my bed in Sheol, hinei, Thou art there.

⁹ If I take the wings of the shachar (dawn), and dwell in the uttermost acharit yam (the extreme end of the sea);

¹⁰ Even there shall Thy yad lead me, and Thy yamin shall hold me.

¹¹ If I say, Surely the choshech shall cover me, even the lailah shall be ohr about me.

¹² Even the choshech is not dark to Thee; but the lailah shineth as the yom; the choshech and the ohr are both alike to Thee.

¹³ For Thou hast created my inmost being; Thou didst interweave me in the beten immi.

¹⁴ I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are Thy ma’asim; and that my nefesh knoweth very well.

¹⁵ My atzamim (bones, frame) were not hid from Thee, when I was made beseter (in secret), and skillfully wrought in the depths of the Eretz.

¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my golem (embryo), yet being unformed; and in Thy Sefer (Book) all the yamim (days) ordained for me were written down, when as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O El! How great is the sum of them!

¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number than the chol (sand); when I awake, I am still with Thee.

¹⁹ Surely Thou wilt slay the rasha, O Eloah; depart from me therefore, ye anshei damim (bloodthirsty men).

²⁰ For they speak of Thee craftily, and it is taken lashav [Ex 20:7] by Thy enemies.

²¹ Should not I hate them, Hashem, that hate Thee? And am not I to be at odds with those that rise up against Thee?

²² I abhor them with complete sinah; I count them mine enemies.

²³ Search me, O El, and know my levav; test me, and know my thoughts;

²⁴ And see if there be any derech otzev (torturous crooked road) in me, and lead me in the Derech Olam.

140 (For the one directing. Mizmor of Dovid). Deliver me, Hashem, from adam rah; preserve me from ish chamasim (violent men);

^2 (3) Which plan ra’ot (evils) in their lev; kol yom they incite milchamot (wars).

^3 (4) They have sharpened their leshonot like a nachash; the venom of a spider is under their sfatayim (lips). Selah.

^4 (5) Be shomer over me, Hashem, and keep me from the hands of the rashah; protect me from ish chamasim, whose scheme is to cause my steps to trip.

^5 (6) The ge’im (proud, arrogant ones [of inordinate ambition]) have hid a pach for me, and chavalim (cords, ropes); they have spread a reshet (net) close by the path; they have set mokshim (traps) for me. Selah.

^6 (7) I said unto Hashem, Thou art Eli; hear the kol tachanunai (voice of my supplications), Hashem.

^7 (8) Hashem Adonoi, Oz Yeshuati (strength of my (salvation), Thou hast covered my rosh in the Yom Neshek (Day of Arms, Day of Battle).

^8 (9) Grant not, Hashem, the desires of the rashah; let not his plot succeed; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.

^9 (10) As for the rosh of those that surround me, let the amal (trouble) of their own sfatayim (lips) cover them.

^10 (11) Let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the eish; into mahamorot (watery pits), that they rise not up again.

^11 (12) Let not an ish lashon (idle talker, slanderer) be established in ha’aretz; rah shall hunt down the ish chamas to overthrow him.

^12 (13) I know that Hashem will maintain the din oni (cause of the poor), and the mishpat evyonim (the right of the needy).

^13 (14) Surely the tzaddikim shall give thanks unto Thy Shem; the upright shall dwell in Thy presence.

141 (Mizmor of Dovid) Hashem, I cry unto Thee; make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee.

² Let my tefillah be set forth before Thee like ketoret; and the lifting up of my hands as the minchat erev.

³ Be shomer, Hashem, over my mouth; guard the door of my lips.

⁴ Let not my lev incline to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties.

⁵ Let the tzaddik strike me; it shall be chesed; and let him reprove me; it shall be shemen, which my rosh shall not refuse; for still shall my tefillah be against their evil deeds.

⁶ Their shofetim are overthrown in stony places; they hear my words; for they are pleasant.

⁷ Atzameinu (our bones) are scattered at the mouth of Sheol, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon ha’aretz.

⁸ But mine eyes are unto Thee, Hashem Adonoi; in Thee do I take refuge; leave not my nefesh defenseless.

⁹ Keep me from the pach (snare, trap) which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity.

¹⁰ Let the resha’im fall into their own nets, while I escape safely.

142 (Mashkil of Dovid; A tefillah when he was in the me’arah) I cried out unto Hashem with my voice; with my voice unto Hashem did I make my techinnah (supplication).

^2 (3) I poured out my complaint before Him; I showed before Him my tzoros.

^3 (4) When my ruach became faint within me, then Thou had da’as of my path. In the way wherein I walked have they laid a pach (snare, hidden trap) for me.

^4 (5) I looked on my right, and behold, there was no man that would know me; refuge failed me; no man cared for my nefesh.

^5 (6) I cried unto Thee, Hashem; I said, Thou art my refuge and my chelek (portion) in the Eretz HaChayyim.

^6 (7) Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low; save me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

^7 (8) Release my nefesh from prison, to praise Shemecha (Thy Name); the tzaddikim shall gather about me; for Thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

143 (Mizmor of Dovid) Hear my tefillah, Hashem, give ear to my techinot (supplications); in Thy emunah answer me, and in Thy tzedakah.

² And enter not into mishpat with Thy eved; for in Thy sight shall no man living be yitzadak (justified).

³ For the oyev (enemy) hath persecuted my nefesh; he hath struck down my life to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in places of choshech (darkness), like metei olam (those long dead).

⁴ Therefore is my ruach become faint within me; my lev within me is desolate.

⁵ I remember yamim mikedem (days of old), I meditate on all Thy works; I muse on the ma’aseh (work) of Thy hands.

⁶ I stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my nefesh thirsteth after Thee, like an eretz ayefah (a parched, thirsty land). Selah.

⁷ Hear me speedily, Hashem; my ruach faileth; hide not Thy face from me, lest I be like those that go down into the bor (pit).

⁸ Cause me to hear Thy chesed in the boker; for in Thee do I trust; cause me to know the Derech wherein I should walk; for I lift up my nefesh unto Thee.

⁹ Save me, Hashem, from mine oyevim (enemies); I flee unto Thee to hide me.

¹⁰ Teach me to do Retzonecha (Thy will); for Thou art Elohai; may Thy Ruach Tov lead me on level ground.

¹¹ Revive me, Hashem, l’ma’an (for the sake of) Thy Shem (Name); in Thy tzedakah bring my nefesh out of tzoros.

¹² And in Thy chesed silence mine enemies, and destroy all them that oppress my nefesh; for I am Thy eved.

144 (Mizmor of Dovid). Baruch Hashem my Tzur (rock) which teacheth my hands for war, and my fingers for milchamah (battle);

² My Chesed, and my Metzudah (Fortress); my Stronghold, and my Deliverer; my Mogen, and He in Whom I take refuge; Who subdueth my people under me.

³ Hashem, what is adam, that Thou takest knowledge of him! Or the ben enosh, that Thou takest account of him!

⁴ Adam is like hevel; his days are as a tzel that passeth away.

⁵ Part Thy heavens, Hashem, and come down; touch the harim, and they shall smoke.

⁶ Cast forth lightning, and scatter them; shoot Thine khitzim (arrows), and destroy them.

⁷ Send Thine Yad from above; rescue me, and deliver me out of mayim rabbim, from the yad Bnei Nekhar;

⁸ Whose mouth speaketh shav (lies), and their right hand is a right hand of sheker.

⁹ I will sing a shir chadash unto Thee, O Elohim; upon a nevel of ten strings will I make music unto Thee.

¹⁰ It is He that giveth Teshu’ah (deliverance, salvation) unto melachim; Who delivereth Dovid His eved from the cherev ra’ah.

¹¹ Rescue me, and save me from the yad Bnei Nekhar, whose mouth speaketh shav (lies) and their right hand is a right yad of sheker;

¹² In their youth, may baneinu (our sons) be like plants full grown; may benoteinu (our daughters) be like cornerstones, columns wrought for the Heikhal;

¹³ That our barns may be full, affording all manner of provision; that our tzon may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our meadows;

¹⁴ That our oxen may be strong to labor; that there be no peretz (breach) nor golus; that there be no cry of anquish in our streets.

¹⁵ Ashrei are such people; Ashrei is the people that Hashem is Elohav.

145 (Tehillah of Dovid). [Alef} I will extol Thee, Elohai HaMelech; and I will bless Thy Shem l’olam va’ed .

² [Beis] Kol yom will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy Shem l’olam va’ed.

³ [Gimel] Gadol is Hashem, and me’od to be praised; and His greatness is not cheker (searchable).

⁴ [Dalet] Dor l’dor (generation to generation) shall praise Thy ma’asim, and shall declare Thy gevurot (mighty acts).

⁵ [Heh] I will speak of the hadar kavod of Thy hod, and of Thy nifle’ot (wonderful works).

⁶ [Vav] And men shall speak of the power of Thy norot; and I will declare Thy greatness.

⁷ [Zayin] They shall utter the zekher (memory, recollection) of Thy rav tov and shall sing of Thy tzedakah.

⁸ [Chet] Channun (gracious) is Hashem, and full of compassion; erech apayim (slow to anger), and of great chesed.

⁹ [Tet] Tov is Hashem to all; and His rachamim is over all His ma’asim.

¹⁰ [Yod] All Thy ma’asim shall praise Thee, Hashem; and Thy chasidim shall bless Thee.

¹¹ [Khaf] They shall speak of the kavod of Thy Malchus, and tell of Thy gevurah;

¹² [Lamed] To make known to the Bnei HaAdam His gevurah, and the kavod hadar of His Malchus.

¹³ [Mem] Thy Malchus is a Malchus kol olamim, and Thy Memshelet for kol dor vador.

¹⁴ [Samekh] Hashem upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that are bowed down.

¹⁵ [Ayin] The eyes of all look to Thee; and Thou givest them their okhel (food) in its season.

¹⁶ [Peh] Thou openest Thine Yad, and satisfiest the ratzon of kol chai.

¹⁷ [Tzadi] Tzaddik is Hashem in all His drakhim, and chasid in all His ma’asim,

¹⁸ [Koph] Karov (near) is Hashem unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in emes.

¹⁹ [Resh] He will fulfil the ratzon of them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

²⁰ [Shin] Shomer is Hashem over all them that love Him; but kol haresha’im will He destroy.

²¹ [Tav] My mouth shall speak the tehillat Hashem; and let kol basar bless His Shem Kodesh l’olam va’ed. [T.N. See Messianic Psalms which include Ps 2, 22, 45, 72, 110, 47, 93, 96-99, 89 and which indicate Moshiach’s righteous character, experience, ideals, call, and reign.]

146 Praise Hashem. Praise Hashem, O my nefesh.

² While I live will I praise Hashem: I will sing praise unto Elohai while I have any being.

³ Put not your trust in princes, nor in the ben adam, in whom there is no teshuah (salvation).

⁴ His ruach departs, he returneth to his adamah; in yom hahu his plans come to nothing.

⁵ Ashrei is he that hath El Ya’akov for his ezer, whose hope is in Hashem Elohav:

⁶ Oseh Shomayim vaAretz, the yam, and all that therein is: HaShomer Emes l’olam (Who keepeth Truth forever):

⁷ Oseh mishpat for the oppressed; Who giveth lechem to the hungry. Hashem mattir asurim (sets free the prisoners):

⁸ Hashem openeth the eyes of the ivrim: Hashem raiseth them that are bowed down: Hashem loveth the tzaddikim:

⁹ Hashem shomer over the gerim; He relieveth the yatom (fatherless, orphan) and almanah; but the Derech Resha’im He frustrates.

¹⁰ Hashem shall reign l’olam, even thy G-d, O Tziyon, l’dor vador. Praise Hashem.

147 Praise ye Hashem: for it is tov to sing praises unto Eloheinu; for it is na’im (pleasant); and tehillah is fitting.

² Hashem is the Boneh Yerushalayim (builder of Jerusalem): He gathereth together the nidkhei Yisroel (the outcasts Of Israel, those of the Golus).

³ He is the Rofeh (healer) of the Shevurei-lev (broken in heart), binds up their wounds.

⁴ He determines the mispar of the kokhavim; He calleth them all by their shemot.

⁵ Gadol is Adoneinu, and of rav ko’ach; to His tevunah (understanding, intelligence) there is no mispar (number, limit).

⁶ Hashem lifteth up the anavim (meek ones, humble ones); He casteth the resha’im down to the ground.

⁷ Sing unto Hashem with todah; make music upon the kinnor (harp) unto Eloheinu:

⁸ Who covereth Shomayim with clouds, Who prepareth matar (rainfall) for ha’aretz, HaMatzemi’ach (Who maketh to spring up) the khatzir (grass) upon the harim (hills, mountains).

⁹ He giveth to the behemah her lechem, and to the bnei orev (young ravens) when they cry out.

¹⁰ He delighteth not in the gevurat hasus: He taketh not pleasure in the shokayim of an ish (legs of a man).

¹¹ Hashem taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His chesed.

¹² Praise Hashem, O Yerushalayim; praise thy G-d, O Tziyon.

¹³ For He hath strengthened the bars of thy she’arim (gates); He hath blessed thy banim within thee.

¹⁴ He granteth shalom within thy borders, and filleth thee with the chelev chittim (the finest of wheat).

¹⁵ He sendeth forth His imrah (command) upon eretz: His Devar runneth swiftly.

¹⁶ He giveth sheleg (snow) like tzemer (wool); He scattereth the kfor (frost) like ashes.

¹⁷ He casteth down His kerach (ice) like crumbs: who can stand before His cold?

¹⁸ He sendeth out His Devar, and melteth them: He causeth His ruach to blow, and the mayim to flow.

¹⁹ He declareth His Devar unto Ya’akov, His chukkot and His mishpatim unto Yisroel.

²⁰ He hath not dealt so with any Goy (nation): and as for His mishpatim, they have not known them. Praise ye Hashem.

148 Praise Hashem. Praise Hashem from HaShomayim: praise Him in the heights above.

² Praise ye Him, all His malachim: praise ye Him, all Tzivos Hashem.

³ Praise ye Him, shemesh and yarei’ach: praise Him, all ye kokhavim of ohr.

⁴ Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above HaShomayim.

⁵ Let them praise the Shem of Hashem: for He commanded, and they were created.

⁶ He hath also established them forever and ever: He hath made a Chok (decree) which shall not pass away.

⁷ Hallelu Hashem from ha’aretz, ye sea creatures, and all tehomot:

⁸ Eish, and barad; snow, and cloud; stormy wind fulfilling His Devar:

⁹ Mountains, and all hills; etz pri (fruitful trees), and all cedars:

¹⁰ Beasts, and all cattle; remesh (creeping things), and flying fowl:

¹¹ Malchei eretz, and all people; sarim (princes), and all shoftei aretz:

¹² Both bochurim, and betulot; zekenim, and ne’arim:

¹³ Let them praise the Shem of Hashem: for Shmo alone is excellent; His hod is above Eretz and Shomayim.

¹⁴ He also exalteth the keren of His people, tehillah (the praise) of all His Chasidim; even of the Bnei Yisroel, an Am (people) close unto Him. Hallelu Hashem.

149 Praise Hashem. Shiru l’Adonoi shir chadash (Sing unto Hashem a new song), and His praise in the Kahal Chasidim.

² Let Yisroel rejoice in Him that made him; let the Bnei Tziyon be glad in their Melech.

³ Let them praise Shmo in the dance; let them sing zemirot unto Him with the tambourine and kinnor.

⁴ For Hashem taketh pleasure in His people; He will crown the meek with Yeshuah (salvation).

⁵ Let the Chasidim be joyful in kavod; let them sing for joy upon their beds.

⁶ Let the high praises of G-d be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

⁷ To execute vengeance upon the Goyim, and punishments upon the people;

⁸ To bind their melachim with chains, and their nobles with shackles of barzel (iron);

⁹ To execute upon them the mishpat katuv (written judgment); this honor have all His Chasidim. Hallelu Hashem.

150 Praise Hashem. Hallelu El (Praise G-d) in His Kodesh [Beis Hamikdash]; Hallelu Him in the raki’a [see Bereshis 1:6] of His might.

² Hallelu Him for His gevurot (mighty acts); hallelu Him according to His surpassing greatness.

³ Hallelu Him with the sound of the shofar; hallelu Him with the nevel (harp) and kinnor (lyre).

⁴ Hallelu Him with the tambourine and dance; hallelu Him with stringed instruments and flute.

⁵ Hallelu Him upon the clashing cymbals; hallelu Him upon the resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let every thing that hath neshamah praise Hashem. Praise Hashem!

1 Mishlei Sh’lomo Ben Dovid, Melech Yisroel;

² To have da’as of chochmah and musar (discipline); to understand the words of binah;

³ To receive the musar of those with seichel, tzedek and mishpat, and meisharim (equity, uprightness);

⁴ To give subtlety to the simple, to the na’ar, da’as and discretion.

⁵ A chacham (wise person) will hear, and will increase learning, and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

⁶ To understand a mashal (proverb), and the melitzah (enigma); the divrei chachamim, and their chidot (riddles).

⁷ The Yirat Hashem is the reshit da’as, but fools despise chochmah and musar.

⁸ Beni (my son), hear the musar Avicha, and forsake not the Torat Immecha.

⁹ For they shall be a garland of chen unto thy rosh, and a chain about thy neck.

¹⁰ Beni (my son), if chatt’aim (sinners) entice thee, consent thou not.

¹¹ If they say, Come with us, let us lie in wait for dahm, let us lurk secretly for the naki (innocent, harmless) chinnom (without cause);

¹² Let us swallow them up chayyim (alive) like She’ol; and whole, as those that go down into the bor (pit);

¹³ We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill bateinu (our houses) with plunder;

¹⁴ Throw in thy goral (lot) among us; let all of us have kis echad (one pouch, purse).

¹⁵ Beni (my son), walk not thou in the derech with them; refrain thy regel from their path;

¹⁶ For their raglayim run to rah, and make haste for shefach dahm (shedding of blood).

¹⁷ Surely in vain the reshet (net) is spread in the eyes of kol ba’al kanaf (all the birds, i.e., lit. master of [the] wing);

¹⁸ And they lie in wait for their own dahm; they lurk secretly for their own nafshot.

¹⁹ So are the ways of every one that is greedy for betza (ill-gotten gain); which taketh away the nefesh of the be’alim (owners) thereof.

²⁰ Chochmot crieth out in the street; she lifts up her voice in the rechovot (city squares);

²¹ She crieth out in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the she’arim (gates); in the Ir (city) she uttereth her words, saying,

²² Ad mosai, ye simple ones, will ye love being simpletons? And the scoffers delight in their mockery, and kesilim (fools) hate da’as?

²³ Turn you at my tokhechah (reproof); hinei, I will pour out my ruach unto you, I will make known my devarim unto you.

²⁴ Because I have called, and ye refused, I have stretched out my yad, and no man regarded;

²⁵ But ye have disdained all my etza (counsel), and would have none of my tokhechah (reproof);

²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your pachad (terror) cometh;

²⁷ When your pachad (terror) cometh like a storm, and your calamity cometh like a whirlwind; when tzarah (distress) and oppression cometh upon you.

²⁸ Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall look for me diligently, but they shall not find me;

²⁹ For that they hated da’as, and did not choose the Yirat Hashem;

³⁰ They would have none of my etza (counsel); they despised all my tokhechah (reproof).

³¹ Therefore shall they eat of the p’ri (fruit) of their own derech, and be filled with their own mo’atzot (schemes, devices).

³² For the waywardness of the simple shall slay them, and the complacent contentment of kesilim (fools) shall destroy them.

³³ But the one who payeth heed unto me [Chochmat Hashem, i.e., the Redemptive Word, not only Hashem’s creative agent (Ps 33:6; Prov 8:30; 30:4) but the one who comes with a healing mission according to Ps 107:20, though Moshiach has to die in the midst of his healing Mission to accomplish our healing from guilt and punitive dread-Isa 53:5] shall dwell safely, and shall be secure from pachad ra’ah (terror of evil).

2 Beni (my son), if thou wilt receive my words, and treasure my mitzvot with thee;

² So that thou incline thine ear unto chochmah, and apply thine lev to tevunah (understanding);

³ Yea, if thou criest out after binah, and liftest up thy voice for tevunah (understanding)

⁴ If thou seekest her as kesef, and searchest for her as for matmonim (hidden treasures);

⁵ Then shalt thou understand the Yirat Hashem, and find the Da’as Elohim.

⁶ For Hashem giveth chochmah; out of His Peh (mouth) cometh da’as (knowledge) and tevunah (understanding).

⁷ He layeth up tushiyyah (wise Torah counsel) for the yesharim (upright ones); He is a mogen (shield) to them that walk in blamelessness.

⁸ He keepeth the orkhot mishpat, and is shomer over the derech of His Chasidim.

⁹ Then shalt thou understand tzedek, and mishpat, and mesharim (equity, fairness)‖every ma’agal tov (good path).

¹⁰ When chochmah entereth into thine lev, and da’as (knowledge) is pleasant unto thy nefesh;

¹¹ Mezimah (discretion) shall be shomer over thee, tevunah (understanding) shall safeguard thee;

¹² To save thee from the derech rah, from the ish medaber tahpukhot (man speaking perverse things);

¹³ Who leaving the orkhot yosher (paths of uprightness), walk in the drakhei choshech (ways of darkness);

¹⁴ Who rejoice to do rah, and delight in the tahpukhot (perverse things) of rah (evil);

¹⁵ Whose orkhot (paths) are crooked ones, and they are devious in their ma’agalot (paths);

¹⁶ To save thee from the isha zarah (strange woman), even from the nokhriyah (strange [immoral] woman) which useth smooth words;

¹⁷ Which forsaketh the alluf (companion, husband) of her youth, and forgetteth the brit (covenant) of her G-d.

¹⁸ For her bais inclineth toward mavet, and her ma’agalot (paths) to the refa’im (spirits of the dead).

¹⁹ None that go unto her return again, neither attain they to the orkhot chayyim (paths of life).

²⁰ That thou mayest walk in the derech tovim, and be shomer over the orkhot tzaddikim (paths of the righteous).

²¹ For the yesharim (upright ones) shall dwell in the land, and the tamimim (blameless, faultless ones) shall remain in it.

²² But the resha’im shall be cut off from ha’aretz, and the bogedim (treacherous ones) shall be rooted out of it.

3 Beni (my son), forget not my torah; but let thine lev keep my mitzvot;

² For orekh yamim (length of days), and shnot chayyim, and shalom, shall they add to thee.

³ Let not chesed and emes forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the luach (tablet) of thine lev;

⁴ So shalt thou find chen and seichel tov in the eyes of Elohim and adam.

⁵ Trust in Hashem with all thine lev, and lean not unto thine own binah (understanding).

⁶ In all thy drakhim acknowledge Him, and He shall make yosher thy orkhot (paths).

⁷ Be not chacham in thine own eyes; fear Hashem, and depart from rah.

⁸ It shall be rife’ut (health) to thy navel, and marrow to thy atzmot.

⁹ Honor Hashem with thy substance, and with the reshit (firstfruit) of all thine increase;

¹⁰ So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall burst out with tirosh.

¹¹ Beni (my son), despise not the musar Hashem; neither be weary of His tokhakhah (reproof);

¹² For whom Hashem loveth, He correcteth; even as an av the ben in whom he delighteth.

¹³ Ashrei (happy) is the man that findeth chochmah, and the man that getteth tevunah (understanding).

¹⁴ For the gain of it is better than the gain of kesef, and the increase thereof than fine gold.

¹⁵ She is more precious than peninim (pearls); and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

¹⁶ Orekh yamim is in her right hand; and in her left hand osher and kavod.

¹⁷ Her drakhim are drakhim of pleasantness, and all her netivot (trodden paths) are shalom.

¹⁸ She is an Etz Chayyim (Tree of Life) to them that lay hold upon her; and me’usher (blessed) is every one that holdeth her fast.

¹⁹ Hashem by chochmah hath founded Eretz (Earth); by tevunah (understanding) hath He established Shomayim.

²⁰ By His da’as (knowledge) the tehomot (oceanic depths) were divided, and the clouds drop down the tal (dew).

²¹ Beni (my son), let not them depart from thine eyes; keep sound judgment and mezimah (discretion);

²² So shall they be chayyim unto thy nefesh, and chen to thy neck.

²³ Then shalt thou walk in thy derech safely, and thy regel shall not stumble.

²⁴ When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; when thou liest down, thy sheynah (sleep) shall be sweet.

²⁵ Be not afraid of sudden pachad (terror), neither of the desolation of the resha’im (wicked ones), when it cometh.

²⁶ For Hashem shall be thy confidence, and shall be shomer over thy regel from the snare.

²⁷ Withhold not tov from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine yad to do it.

²⁸ Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and makhar (tomorrow) I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

²⁹ Devise not ra’ah against thy re’a, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

³⁰ Strive not with adam without cause, if he have done thee no ra’ah.

³¹ Envy thou not the ish chamas, and choose none of his drakhim.

³² For the perverse person is to’avat (detestable) to Hashem; but His sod (secret, intimate counsel) is with the yesharim (upright ones).

³³ The curse of Hashem is in the bais of the rasha; but He puts a bracha on the dwelling of the tzaddikim.

³⁴ Surely He scorneth the scorners; but He giveth chen (grace, favor) unto the anayim (lowly, humble ones).

³⁵ The chachamim shall inherit kavod, but shame shall be the promotion of kesilim (fools).

4 Hear, ye banim, the musar (instruction, discipline) of an av, and attend to know binah (understanding).

² For I give you lekach tov (good doctrine, good instruction), forsake ye not my torah.

³ For I was ben to avi, tender and yachid (an only child) before immi.

⁴ He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine lev retain my words; be shomer over my mitzvot, and live.

⁵ Acquire chochmah, acquire binah (understanding); forget it not; neither turn from the words of my peh (mouth).

⁶ Forsake her not, and she shall be shomer over thee; love her, and she shall protect thee.

⁷ Chochmah is the principal thing; therefore get chochmah, and with all thy getting get binah (understanding).

⁸ Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall honor thee with kavod, when thou dost embrace her.

⁹ She shall give to thine head a garland of chen; an ateret (crown) of tiferet (glory) shall she present to thee.

¹⁰ Hear, O beni (my son), and receive my sayings; and thy shnot chayyim shall be many.

¹¹ I have taught thee in the derech chochmah; I have led thee in ma’aglei yosher (right paths).

¹² When thou goest, thy steps shall not be hindered; and when thou runnest, lo tikashel (thou shalt not stumble).

¹³ Take firm hold of musar; let her not go; guard her; for she is thy chayyim.

¹⁴ Enter not into the orach resha’im, and go not on the derech ra’im (road of the wicked).

¹⁵ Avoid it, travel al (not) on it, turn from it, and pass on.

¹⁶ For they sleep not, unless they have done evil; and their sheynah (sleep) is robbed, unless they cause some to fall.

¹⁷ For they eat the lechem of resha, and drink the yayin of chamasim (violences).

¹⁸ But the orach tzaddikim (path of the righteous) is as the bright light, that shineth brighter and brighter unto the full day.

¹⁹ The derech resha’im is as deep darkness; they know not at what they stumble.

²⁰ Beni (my son), attend to my words; incline thine ozen unto my sayings.

²¹ Let them not depart from thine eyes; be shomer over them within thine lev.

²² For they are chayyim unto those that find them, and health to all their basar.

²³ Set watch over and guard thy lev with all diligence; for out of it are the totze’ot chayyim (issues, wellsprings of life cf Mk 7:20-23).

²⁴ Put away from thee a deceitful peh (mouth), and perverse sfatayim (lips) put far from thee.

²⁵ Let thine eynayim look straight forward, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

²⁶ Ponder the ma’agal (path) of thy raglayim, and let all thy drakhim be firm.

²⁷ Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy regel from rah [T.N. Everyone in life has two paths to choose from just as Moshiach Tzidkeinu spoke of two gates, a wide one crowded with traffic and leading to destruction, and another one found by few but leading to life and redemption‖Mt 7:13-14].

5 Beni (my son), attend unto my chochmah, and bow thine ozen to my tevunah (understanding);

² That thou mayest regard mezimah (discretion), and that thy sfatayim (lips) may keep da’as (knowledge).

³ For the sfatayim (lips) of a zarah (strange woman) drip as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than shemen (olive oil);

⁴ But her end is marah (bitter) as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged cherev.

⁵ Her raglayim go down to mavet; her steps lead to Sheol.

⁶ Lest thou shouldest compare [hers] to the orach chayyim, her ma’agalot (paths) are crooked, that thou canst not know them.

⁷ Hear me now therefore, O ye banim, and turn not from the words of my peh (mouth).

⁸ Remove thy derech far from her, and come not near the petach (doorway) of her bais;

⁹ Lest thou give thine hod (strength) unto others, and thy shanim unto the cruel one;

¹⁰ Lest zarim (strangers) be filled with thy koach; and thy toilings be in the bais nochri;

¹¹ And thou mourn at the acharit (last, latter end, future), when thy basar and thy body are consumed,

¹² And say, How have I hated musar, and my lev spurned tokhakhat (reproof);

¹³ And have not obeyed the voice of my morim (teachers), nor inclined mine ear to the ones who were my melamed!

¹⁴ I was at the brink of all rah (evil, ruin) in the midst of the kahal (congregation) and edah (assembly).

¹⁵ Drink mayim out of thine own bor (cistern), and running waters out of thine own well.

¹⁶ Should thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and channels of mayim in the rekhovot (town squares)?

¹⁷ Let them be only thine own, and never zarim (strangers) with thee.

¹⁸ Let thy makor (fountain) be blessed; and rejoice with the isha of thy youth.

¹⁹ Let her be as the loving deer and graceful doe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou enraptured tamid (ever) with ahavat (love of) her.

²⁰ And why wilt thou, beni (my son), be intoxicated with a zarah (strange woman), and embrace the kheyk (bosom) of a nochriyah (foreign [heathen] woman)?

²¹ For the drakhim ish are before the eyes of Hashem, and He pondereth all his ma’agalot (paths).

²² His own avonot shall entrap the rashah himself, and he shall be held fast by the cords of his chattat.

²³ He shall die without musar; and in the greatness of his folly he shall be led astray.

6 Beni (my son), if thou put up collateral for thy re’a, if thou hast shaken hands in pledge with a zar (stranger),

² Thou art snared with the words of thy peh (mouth), thou art trapped with the words of thy peh (mouth).

³ Do this now, beni (my son), and deliver thyself, since thou art come into the palm of thy re’a; go, humble thyself, and plead with thy re’a.

⁴ Give not sheynah to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

⁵ Deliver thyself as a gazelle from the yad [of the hunter], and as a tzippor (bird) from the yad of the fowler.

⁶ Go to the nemalah (ant), thou atzel (sluggard, lazy one); consider her drakhim (ways), and be chacham (wise);

⁷ Which having no katzin (officer, leader) or shoter (policeman) or moshel,

⁸ Prepareth her lechem in the kayitz (summer), and gathereth her food in the katzir (harvest).

⁹ Ad mosai wilt thou lie down, O atzel (sluggard, lazy one)? When wilt thou arise out of thy sheynah (sleep)?

¹⁰ Yet a little sheynot (sleep [pl.]), a little slumber, a little folding of the yadayim to sleep;

¹¹ So shall thy poverty come as a prowler, and thy need as an ish mogen (man of armor).

¹² A worthless person, a wicked man, walketh with a perverse peh (mouth).

¹³ He winketh with his eyes, he shuffleth with his regel, he pointeth with his fingers;

¹⁴ Tahpukhot (perversity) is in his lev, he deviseth rah continually; he stirs up midanim (contention, strife, discord [pl.]).

¹⁵ Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be destoyed without marpeh (remedy).

¹⁶ These shesh (six) things doth Hashem hate; indeed, shevah (seven) are an abomination unto His Nefesh;

¹⁷ Haughty eyes, a lashon sheker, and hands guilty of shefach dahm naki,

¹⁸ A lev that deviseth wicked machshevot (plans), raglayim that are swift in running to ra’ah,

¹⁹ An ed sheker that speaketh lies, and he that soweth midanim (contention, strife, discords) among achim.

²⁰ Beni (my son), keep the mitzvat Avicha, and forsake not the torat Immecha;

²¹ Bind them tamid (continually) upon thine lev, and tie them about thy neck.

²² When thou goest, it shall guide thee; when thou sleepest, it shall be shomer over thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

²³ For the mitzvah is a ner (lamp); and torah an ohr; and tokhakhot musar (reproofs of discipline) are the Derech Chayyim (Life Lane);

²⁴ To be shomer over thee, keeping thee from the eshet rah, from the smooth lashon of the nokhriyah (strange woman).

²⁵ Lust not after her beauty in thine lev; neither let her allure thee with her eyelids.

²⁶ For by means of an isha zonah a man is reduced to a kikar lechem; and [another] man’s wife will prey on the nefesh yekara (precious soul).

²⁷ Can a man take eish in his kheyk, and his clothes not be burned?

²⁸ Can one walk upon hot coals, and his regel not be burned?

²⁹ So is he that goeth into his eshet re’a; whosoever toucheth her shall not go unpunished.

³⁰ Men do not despise a ganav if he steal to satisfy his nefesh when he is starving;

³¹ But if he be found out, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give hon (substance, wealth) of his bais;

³² But the no’ef (one who committeth adultery) with an isha lacketh lev [of understanding]; he that doeth it destroyeth his own nefesh.

³³ A nega [see Isaiah 53:8 for Moshiach’s nega taken for unfaithful Israel] and dishonor shall he get; and his cherpah (reproach) shall not be wiped away.

³⁴ For kina (jealousy) is the chamat gever (husband’s rage); therefore he will not spare in the yom nakam (day of vengeance).

³⁵ He will not regard kofer (compensation); neither will he be the appeased, though shochad (bribe) be great.

7 Beni (my son), be shomer over my words, and treasure up my mitzvot with thee.

² Be shomer over my mitzvot, and live, and over my torah as the apple of thine eye.

³ Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the luach (tablet) of thine lev.

⁴ Say unto chochmah, Thou art my achot; and call binah (understanding) thy kinsman;

⁵ That they may be shomer over thee and keep thee from the zarah, from the nokhriyah with her smooth words.

⁶ For at the chalon (window) of my bais I looked through my lattice,

⁷ And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the banim, a na’ar (young man) devoid of lev [of understanding, sense],

⁸ Passing through the street near her corner; and he went on the derech to her bais,

⁹ In the twilight, at erev, in the black and dark lailah;

¹⁰ And, hinei, there met him an isha with the attire of a zonah, and crafty of lev

¹¹ —She is loud and soreret (rebellious, defiant); her raglayim abide not in her bais;

¹² Now is she without, now in the rechovot, and lurketh in wait at every pinnah (corner)—

¹³ So she caught hold of him, and kissed him, and with a brazen ponem said unto him,

¹⁴ I have zivkhei shelamim vowed; this yom have I payed my neder.

¹⁵ Al ken (therefore) came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with a bedspread of fine linen of Mitzrayim.

¹⁷ I have perfumed my mishkav (bed) with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of dodim (loves) until boker; let us delight ourselves with ahavim (loves, pl. of intensity).

¹⁹ For the ish (man, i.e., husband) is not b’bais, he is gone a derech merachok (distant journey);

²⁰ He hath taken a bag of kesef with him, and will come back to his bais at the appointed time.

²¹ By her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with the smoothness of her sfatayim she seduced him.

²² He goeth after her and followeth immediately, as a shor (ox) goeth to tavach (stock yard, slaughter-house), or as the fettered to the musar of the fool;

²³ Till a khetz (arrow) strike through his liver; as a tzippor hasteth to the pach (snare), and knoweth not that it is for his nefesh (life).

²⁴ Pay heed unto me now therefore, O ye banim, and attend to the words of my peh (mouth).

²⁵ Let not thine lev turn aside to her drakhim; go not astray in her netivot (trodden paths).

²⁶ For she hath cast down many chalalim (wounded); indeed, many strong men have been slain by her.

²⁷ Her bais is the drakhei Sheol, going down to the chadarim (chambers, rooms) of mavet (death). [T.N. The off-stage character here in chp 7 has been the cuckold. Because of her Ba’al affair, Hashem became the cuckold of Israel even as Hosea became the cuckold of Gomer.]

8 Doth not Chochmah cry out? And Tevunah (understanding) put forth her voice?

² In the top of high hills, beside the derech (road) in the bais netivot (meeting place of trodden paths, crossroads) nitzavah (she [Lady Wisdom, the lady street preacher] stands).

³ She crieth out at the she’arim (gates), at the entry of the city, at the entrance at the petachim (doorways):

⁴ Unto you, O ishim, I call out; and my voice is to the Bnei Adam.

⁵ O ye simple ones, understand armah (prudence); and, ye kesilim, understand in your lev.

⁶ Hear; for I will speak negidim (noble things, worthy [words]); and the opening of my sfatayim (lips) shall be meisharim (upright, fair things).

⁷ For my mouth shall speak emes; and resha is an abomination to my sfatayim (lips).

⁸ All the words of my peh (mouth) are in tzedek; there is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

⁹ They are all correct to him that discerneth, and yesharim (straight ones) to them that find da’as (knowledge).

¹⁰ Receive my musar, and not kesef; and da’as (knowledge) rather than choice gold.

¹¹ For chochmah is tovah (better, more precious) than pearls; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

¹² I, Chochmah, dwell with armah (prudence), and find out da’as (knowledge) of mezimot (discretions).

¹³ The Yirat Hashem is to hate rah; pride, and ga’on (arrogance), and the derech rah, and the perverse peh (mouth), do I hate.

¹⁴ Etzah (counsel, advice) is mine, and sound judgment; I am binah; I have gevurah.

¹⁵ By me melachim reign, and nobles decree tzedek.

¹⁶ By me sarim (princes) rule, and nobles, even all the shofetim of tzedek.

¹⁷ I love them that have ahavah for me; and those that seek me shall find me.

¹⁸ Osher and kavod are with me; indeed, enduring hon (wealth) and tzedakah.

¹⁹ My p’ri is better than gold, indeed, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice kesef.

²⁰ I walk in the orach tzedakah (way of righteousness), in the midst of the netivot (paths) of mishpat,

²¹ That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their otzarot.

²² Hashem possessed me in the reshit of His derech, before His works of old.

²³ I was set up [to reign] me’olam (from eternity), from the beginning, or ever eretz was.

²⁴ When there were no tehomot, I was brought forth; when there were no springs abounding with mayim.

²⁵ Before the harim were settled, before the geva’ot (hills) was I brought forth;

²⁶ While as yet He had not made eretz, nor the outer places, nor the beginning of the dust of the tevel.

²⁷ When He set in place Shomayim, I was there; when He drew a khoog (circle, horizon) upon the face of the tehom,

²⁸ When He established the clouds above, when He strengthened the fountains of the tehom,

²⁹ When He gave to the yam His chok (decree, limits), that the mayim should not pass its limits, when He appointed the foundations of the Eretz;

³⁰ Then I was etzel (at the side of, beside [see Yn 1:1]) Him, as an Amon (master craftsman, builder, architect, artist); and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him [Mishle 30:4] ;

³¹ Rejoicing in the tevel of His Eretz; and my delights were with the Bnei Adam.

³² Now therefore pay heed unto me, O ye banim; for ashrei (blessed, happy) are they that are shomer over my drakhim.

³³ Hear musar, and be chacham, and disdain it not.

³⁴ Ashrei is adam that heareth me, watching daily at my dalatot, waiting at the mezuzot of my doors.

³⁵ For whosoever findeth me findeth Chayyim, and shall obtain ratzon Hashem.

³⁶ But he that sinneth against me doth chamas against his own nefesh; all they that hate me love mavet.

9 Chochmah hath built her bais, she hath hewn out her seven ammudim;

² She hath prepared her meat; she hath mixed her yayin; she hath also set her shulchan.

³ She hath sent forth her na’arot; she calleth from the highest points of the city;

⁴ Whosoever is simple, let him turn in here; as for him that lacketh lev (a heart of understanding), she saith to him,

⁵ Come, eat of my lechem, and drink of the yayin which I have mixed [Yn 6:53-54 OJBC].

⁶ Forsake the simple ways, and live; and go in the derech binah.

⁷ He that reproveth a letz (mocker) getteth to himself shame, and he that is a mochiach (reprover) of a wicked man getteth himself a blot stain.

⁸ Reprove not a letz, lest he hate thee; rebuke a chacham, and he will love thee.

⁹ Give instruction to a chacham, and he will be yet wiser; teach a tzaddik, and he will increase in learning.

¹⁰ The Yirat Hashem is the beginning of chochmah, and the da’as Kedoshim (knowledge of the Holy One) is binah (understanding).

¹¹ For by me thy yamim shall be multiplied, and shanot chayyim shall be increased to thee.

¹² If thou be chacham, thou shalt be wise for thyself, but if thou mockest, thou alone shalt suffer.

¹³ Aishes Kesilut (Dame Folly) is clamorous; she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

¹⁴ For she sitteth at the petach (doorway) of her bais, on a seat in the high places of the city,

¹⁵ To call those passing on the derech (road) who go straight on their way:

¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in here, and as for him that lacketh lev (heart of understanding), she saith to him,

¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and lechem eaten in secret is pleasant.

¹⁸ But he has no da’as that the dead ones are there; and that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

10 The mishle (proverbs) of Sh’lomo. A ben chacham maketh glad an av, but a ben kesil is the grief of his em.

² Otzarot resha profit nothing, but tzedakah (righteousness) saveth from mavet.

³ Hashem will not suffer the nefesh of the tzaddik to famish, but He thwarteth the craving of the resha’im.

⁴ He becometh poor that dealeth with a negligent palm, but the yad of the diligent maketh wealth.

⁵ He that gathereth in kayitz is a ben maskil (son of wisdom), but he that sleepeth in katzir (harvest) is a ben that causeth shame.

⁶ Brakhot are upon the head of the tzaddik, but chamas covereth the peh (mouth) of the resha’im.

⁷ The memory of the tzaddik is as bracha, but the shem resha’im shall rot.

⁸ The chacham lev will receive mitzvot, but one with foolish sfatayim (lips) shall be thrust down.

⁹ He that walketh uprightly walketh securely, but he that perverteth his drakhim shall be known.

¹⁰ He that winketh with the ayin causeth trouble, but one with foolish sfatayim shall come to ruin.

¹¹ The peh (mouth) of a tzaddik is a Makor Chayyim, but chamas covereth the peh (mouth) of the resha’im.

¹² Sin’ah (hatred) stirreth up medanim (dissensions), but ahavah covereth all peysha’im.

¹³ In the sfatayim (lips) of him that hath understanding chochmah is found, but a shevet (rod) is for the back of him that is devoid of lev [understanding].

¹⁴ Chachamim treasure up da’as (knowledge); but the peh (mouth) of the foolish is near destruction.

¹⁵ The oisher’s wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor ones is their poverty.

¹⁶ The wage of the tzaddik leadeth to Chayyim; the wage of the rashah is for chattat [Ro 6:23].

¹⁷ He is in the orach (path) of Chayyim that is shomer over musar, but he that abandoneth tokhakhat (reproof) goes astray.

¹⁸ He that hideth sin’ah with sfatayim sheker, and he that uttereth a slander, is a kesil (fool).

¹⁹ In the multitude of devarim there wanteth not sin, but he that restraineth his sfatayim (lips) is maskil (wise).

²⁰ The lashon of the tzaddik is as choice kesef; the lev of the resha’im is of little worth.

²¹ The sfatayim (lips) of the tzaddik feed rabbim (many), but fools die for lack of lev [of chochmah].

²² The Birkat Hashem, it maketh wealthy, and He addeth no sorrow with it.

²³ It is as sport to a kesil to do zimmah (evil design), but an ish tevunah (man of understanding) hath chochmah.

²⁴ What the rashah dreads, it shall come upon him, but the ta’avat tzaddikim shall be granted.

²⁵ As the whirlwind passeth, so is the rashah no more, but the tzaddik is a yesod olam (an everlasting foundation).

²⁶ As chometz to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the atzel (sluggard, lazy one) to them that send him.

²⁷ The Yirat Hashem prolongeth yamim; but the shanot of the resha’im shall be cut short.

²⁸ The prospect of the tzaddikim shall be simchah, but the tikveh of the resha’im shall perish.

²⁹ The Derech Hashem is maoz to the blameless, but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

³⁰ The tzaddik shall never be removed, but the resha’im shall not inhabit Eretz.

³¹ The peh (mouth) of the tzaddik bringeth forth chochmah, but the lashon tahpukhot (tongue of perversion, distortion) shall be cut off.

³² The sfatayim (lips) of the tzaddik know what is ratzon (acceptable), but the peh (mouth) of the resha’im speaketh tahpukhot (perversity).

11 A balance of mirmah (dishonesty, deception) is abomination to Hashem, but an even shelemah (perfect stone, just weight) is His ratzon.

² When zadon (pride) cometh, then cometh kalon (shame, disgrace), but with the humble is chochmah.

³ The integrity of the yesharim (upright ones) shall guide them, but the deceit of the bogedim (treacherous ones) shall destroy them.

⁴ Hon (riches) profit not in the yom evrah (day of wrath), but tzedakah (righteousness) delivereth from mavet.

⁵ The tzidkat tamim (righteousness of the blameless) shall make his derech straight, but the rasha shall fall by his own evil.

⁶ The tzidkat yesharim shall deliver them, but bogedim (treacherous ones) shall be caught in their own evil desire.

⁷ At the mot adam rasha, his tikveh shall perish, and the expectation of his [surviving] strong ones perisheth.

⁸ The tzaddik is delivered out of tzoros, but the rashah cometh on to take his place.

⁹ A chanef (hypocrite, man without G-d) with his peh (mouth) destroyeth his re’a, but through da’as (knowledge) shall the tzaddikim be delivered.

¹⁰ When it goeth well with the tzaddikim, the city rejoiceth, and when the resha’im perish, there is rinnah (joyful shouting).

¹¹ By the birkat yesharim the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the peh (mouth) of the resha’im.

¹² He that is devoid of lev [of understanding] despiseth his re’a, but an ish tevunot holdeth his peace.

¹³ A bringer of rekhil (gossip, rekhilut) revealeth sod (secrets, confidences), but he that is of a ne’eman ruach concealeth the matter.

¹⁴ Where no strategic policy is, the nation falls, but in the multitude of yoetz (counsellors, advisors) there is teshu’ah (victory, safety).

¹⁵ He that is guaranty for a zar shall suffer for it, and he that hateth pledging collateral is secure.

¹⁶ An eshet chen retaineth kavod (honor, respect), but ruthless men retain osher.

¹⁷ The ish chesed (merciful man) doeth good to his own nefesh, but he that is cruel harmeth his own self.

¹⁸ The reshah worketh a wage of sheker, but to him that soweth tzedakah (righteousness) shall be a sachar emes (sure reward).

¹⁹ As tzedakah (righteousness) leadeth to Chayyim, so he that pursueth ra’ah pursueth it to his own mot (death).

²⁰ They that are of a perverse lev are an abomination to Hashem, but such as are upright in their derech are His delight.

²¹ Though yad join in yad, the rah shall not go unpunished, but the zera of the tzaddikim shall be delivered.

²² As a ring of zahav in the snout of a chazir, so is an isha yafah which is without ta’am (judgment, discretion).

²³ The ta’avat tzaddikim is only tov, but the tikveh of the resha’im is wrath.

²⁴ There is that which scattereth, and yet increaseth more; and there is that which withholdeth more than is yosher, but it leadeth to machsor (want, need, poverty).

²⁵ The nefesh brocha (generous person) shall be made to prosper, and he that watereth shall be refreshed also himself.

²⁶ He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him, but brocha shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

²⁷ He that diligently seeketh tov procureth ratzon, but he that seeketh ra’ah, it shall come unto him.

²⁸ He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the tzaddik shall flourish like the green leaf.

²⁹ He that troubleth his own bais shall inherit the ruach (wind), and the fool shall be eved to the chacham lev.

³⁰ The p’ri tzedek is Etz Chayyim, and he that winneth nefashot is chacham (wise).

³¹ If the tzaddik are recompensed on ha’aretz (the earth), much more the rashah and the choteh (sinner).

12 He who loveth musar loveth da’as, but he that hateth tokhakhat (reproof, correction) is ba’ar (a boorish, ignorant person).

² A tov (good man) obtaineth ratzon (favor) from Hashem, but an ish mezimor (a man of crafty devices) will He condemn.

³ An adam shall not be made secure by resha, but the shoresh tzaddikim (root of the righteous ones) shall not be moved. [T.N. Cf 12:4 and 31:10.]

⁴ An aishes chayil (a woman of valor, an excellent wife) is an ateret to her ba’al, but she that bringeth shame is like rottenness in his atzmot.

⁵ The thoughts of the tzaddikim are right, but the tachbulot (guidance) of the resha’im are mirmah (deceitful).

⁶ The devarim of the resha’im are to lie in wait for dahm, but the peh (mouth) of the yesharim (upright ones) shall deliver them.

⁷ The resha’im are overthrown, and are no more, but the bais tzaddikim shall stand.

⁸ An ish shall be commended according to his seichel, but he that is of a perverse mind shall be despised.

⁹ He that is lightly esteemed, and hath an eved, is better than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh lechem.

¹⁰ A tzaddik regardeth the nefesh (life) of his behemah (beast), but the compassion of the reshaim is cruel.

¹¹ He that worketh his adamah shall be satisfied with lechem, but he that chaseth after worthless persons is devoid of lev [of understanding].

¹² The resha coveteth the catch of ra’im (evil men), but the shoresh (root) of the tzaddikim yieldeth fruit.

¹³ The rah is ensnared by the peysha (transgression) of his sfatayim (lips), but the tzaddik shall escape from tzoros.

¹⁴ An ish shall be filled with tov by the fruit of his peh (mouth), and the recompence of the hands of adam shall be rendered unto him.

¹⁵ The derech of a fool is yashar (right) in his own eynayim, but he that payeth heed unto etzah is chacham (wise).

¹⁶ A fool’s wrath is known immediately, but a prudent man covereth kalon (shame, disgrace, shameful nakedness).

¹⁷ He that speaketh emunah declareth tzedek, but an ed shekarim, mirmah.

¹⁸ There is one who speaketh rash words like the wounding of a cherev, but the lashon of the chachamim promotes marpeh (healing).

¹⁹ The lip of emes shall be established forever, but a lashon sheker is but for a moment.

²⁰ Mirmah (deceit) is in the lev of them that plot rah, but to the counsellors of shalom is simchah.

²¹ There shall no harm befall the tzaddik, but the resha’im shall be filled with rah.

²² Sfatayim (lips) of sheker are to’evah to Hashem, but they that deal emunah (faithfully, truthfully) are His delight.

²³ A prudent man concealeth da’as, but the lev kesilim (mind of fools) preaches folly.

²⁴ The yad of the kharutzim (diligent ones) shall rule, but the remiyyah (deceitfully lazy man) shall be put to forced labor.

²⁵ Anxiety in the lev ish causeth depression, but a davar tov cheers it up.

²⁶ The tzaddik prevaileth advantageously over his neighbor, but the derech resha’im leads them astray.

²⁷ The remiyyah (deceitfully lazy man) roasteth not that which he took in hunting, but diligence is the precious possession of man.

²⁸ In the orach tzedakah (way of righteousness) is chayyim, and in the derech netivot (pathway) thereof there is no mavet.

13 A ben chacham heareth his musar av, but a scoffer heareth not ge’arah (scolding, rebuke).

² An ish shall eat tov by the fruit of his peh (mouth), but the nefesh of the bogedim (unfaithful ones, traitors) shall eat chamas.

³ He that is shomer over his peh (mouth) guards his nefesh, but he that openeth wide his sfatayim (lips) shall have ruin.

⁴ The nefesh of the atzel (sluggard, lazy one) desireth, and hath nothing, but the nefesh of the kharutzim (diligent ones) shall have ample provision.

⁵ A tzaddik hateth sheker, but a wicked man is shamefully loathsome, and bringeth disgrace.

⁶ Tzedakah is guard over him whose derech is blameless, but wickedness overthroweth the chattat (sinner).

⁷ There is one who maketh himself out to be rich, yet hath nothing; there is one that maketh himself out to be poor, yet hath hon rav (great wealth).

⁸ The riches of an ish is kofer (ransom) for his nefesh (life), but the poor heareth no threat.

⁹ The ohr (light) of the tzaddik rejoiceth, but the ner (lamp) of the resha’im (wicked) shall be put out.

¹⁰ By zadon (pride) cometh only contention, but with the teachable is chochmah.

¹¹ Hon (wealth) gotten by dishonesty shall be diminished, but he that gathereth incrementally shall have an increment.

¹² Hope deferred maketh the lev sick, but when the ta’avah (desire) cometh, it is an Etz Chayyim (Tree of Life).

¹³ He who despiseth the davar shall be destroyed, but he that feareth the mitzvah shall be rewarded.

¹⁴ The torat chacham (teaching of the wise) is a makor chayyim (fountain of life), to turn one away from the snares of mavet.

¹⁵ Seichel tov giveth favor, but the derech bogedim (way of traitors) is hard.

¹⁶ Every prudent man acts with da’as, but a kesil (fool) displays his folly.

¹⁷ A malach rasha falleth into rah (trouble), but a tzir emunim (trustworthy envoy) is marpeh (healing).

¹⁸ Poverty and shame shall be to him that disdains musar, but he that is shomer over tokhakhat (reproof) shall be honored.

¹⁹ The ta’avah (desire, longing) fulfilled is sweet to the nefesh, but it is to’evat kesilim (the abomination of fools) to depart from rah.

²⁰ He that walketh with chachamim shall be wise, but a companion of kesilim (fools) shall come to harm.

²¹ Ra’ah (disaster) pursueth chatta’im (sinners), but tov is the reward of the tzaddikim.

²² A tov (good man) leaveth an inheritance to his bnei banim, and the wealth of the choteh (sinner) is laid up for the tzaddik.

²³ Rav ochel (much food) is in the untilled ground of the poor, but for want of mishpat (justice) it is swept away.

²⁴ He that spareth his shevet (rod) hateth bno (his son), but he that loveth him is diligent in his musar (discipline).

²⁵ The tzaddik (righteous) eateth to the satisfying of his nefesh (soul), but the beten (stomach) of the resha’im shall want.

14 Chachmot nashim buildeth her bais, but the foolish pulleth it down with her hands.

² He that walketh in his yashar feareth Hashem, but he that is devious in his drakhim despiseth Him.

³ In the peh (mouth) of the fool is a rod of ga’avah (pride), but the sfatayim (lips) of the chachamim shall be shomer over them and preserve them.

⁴ Where no oxen are, the evus (feeding trough) is clean, but much increase is by the ko’ach of the shor (ox).

⁵ An ed emunim will not lie, but an ed sheker will utter lies.

⁶ A scoffer seeketh chochmah, and findeth it not, but da’as cometh easily unto him that is discerning.

⁷ Go from the presence of an ish kesil, when thou perceivest not in him the sfatayim (lips) of da’as (knowledge).

⁸ The chochmah of the prudent is to understand his derech, but the folly of kesilim is mirmah (deceit).

⁹ Fools mock at guilt, but among the yesharim (upright ones) there is ratzon (favor).

¹⁰ The lev knoweth its own bitterness, and a zar (stranger) doth not share its simchah.

¹¹ The bais of the resha’im shall be shmad, but the ohel of the yesharim shall flourish.

¹² There is a derech (road) which seemeth yashar (right) unto an ish, but the acharit (latter end, future) thereof are the drakhim of mavet.

¹³ Even in sekhok (laughter) the lev is sad, and the acharit (latter end) of that simchah is grief.

¹⁴ The sug (backslider, faithless one) in lev is filled with his own drakhim (roads), but an ish tov shall be satisfied from above himself.

¹⁵ The naive believeth every davar, but the prudent looketh with care to his steps.

¹⁶ A chacham feareth, and departeth from rah, but the kesil throweth off restraint and is arrogantly reckless.

¹⁷ He that is quicktempered dealeth folly, and an ish mezimot (a man of crafty schemes) is hated.

¹⁸ The naive inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with da’as.

¹⁹ The ra’im will bow before the tov’im, and the resha’im at the she’arim of the tzaddik.

²⁰ The poor is hated even by his own re’a (neighbor), but the oisher hath many friends.

²¹ He that despiseth his re’a sinneth, but he that is kind to the anayim (needy ones), happy is he.

²² Do they not go astray that plot rah? But chesed and emes shall be to them that plan tov.

²³ In all hard work there is profit, but idle chatter of the sfatayim (lips) tendeth only to makhsor (poverty, want).

²⁴ The ateret chachamim is their riches, but the foolishness of kesilim is folly.

²⁵ An ed emes (true witness) saveth nefashot (souls, lives), but a lying witness is a betrayer.

²⁶ In the Yirat Hashem is strong confidence, and his banim shall have a place of refuge.

²⁷ The Yirat Hashem is a makor chayyim (fountain of life) to turn one away from the snares of mavet.

²⁸ In the multitude of people is the glory of a melech, but in the lack of subjects is the ruin of the prince.

²⁹ He that is slow to wrath is of rav tevunah (great understanding), but he that is angrily impulsive exalteth folly.

³⁰ A lev marpeh (sound mind) is life to the basar, but kinah (envy) is the rottenness of the atzmot (bones).

³¹ He that oppresseth the dal (poor) showeth contempt for his Oseh (Maker), but he that honoreth Him is kind to the evyon (needy).

³² The reshah is banished in his ra’ah, but the tzaddik hath refuge in his mot (death).

³³ In the lev of the discerning reposes chochmah, but that which is in kesilim is made known.

³⁴ Tzedakah exalteth a nation, but chattat (sin) is a reproach to any people.

³⁵ The ratzon melech (king’s favor) is toward an eved maskil (a wise servant), but his wrath is against him that bringeth shame.

15 A soft answer turneth away chemah (wrath); but harsh devarim stir up anger.

² The lashon of chachamim useth da’as aright, but the peh (mouth) of kesilim (fools) poureth out folly.

³ The eynayim of Hashem are in kol makom (every place), watching the ra’im and the tovim.

⁴ A marpeh lashon (a tongue of healing) is an Etz Chayyim, but selef (perversity) therein is crushing to the ruach (spirit).

⁵ A fool spurns his musar av, but he that is shomer over tokhakhat (reproof) is prudent.

⁶ In the bais of the tzaddik is much treasure, but in the revenues of the rashah is trouble.

⁷ The sfatayim (lips) of chachamim disperse da’as, but the lev of kesilim doeth not so.

⁸ The zevach of the resha’im is a to’evah to Hashem, but the tefillah (prayer) of the yesharim is His delight.

⁹ The derech rashah is a to’evah unto Hashem, but He loveth him that pursueth tzedakah.

¹⁰ Musar is grievous unto him that forsaketh the orach (way), and he that hateth tokhakhat (reproof) shall die.

¹¹ Sheol and Avaddon are before Hashem, how much more then the hearts of Bnei Adam?

¹² A scoffer loveth not one that correcteth him, neither will he go unto chachamim.

¹³ A lev same’ach maketh a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the lev the ruach is broken.

¹⁴ The lev of him that hath understanding seeketh da’as, but the peh (mouth) of kesilim feedeth on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the oni are ra’im, but he that is of a tov lev hath a mishteh tamid (a continual feast).

¹⁶ Better is little with the Yirat Hashem than otzar rav (great treasure) and trouble therewith.

¹⁷ Better is a meal of yarak (vegetables) where love is, than a fatted calf and sinah (hatred) therewith.

¹⁸ An ish chemah (angry man) stirreth up madon (strife), but he that is slow to anger pacifies a quarrel.

¹⁹ The derech (road) of the atzel (sluggard, lazy one) is a thorny hedge, but the orach yesharim (way of the upright) is a highway.

²⁰ A ben chacham maketh glad an av, but a kesil adam despiseth immo.

²¹ Folly is simchah to him that is destitute of lev [of discernment], but an ish tevunah walketh uprightly.

²² Without counsel, plans go amiss, but in the multitude of yo’atzim (counsellors) they are established.

²³ An ish hath simchah in the apt reply of his peh (mouth), and a timely davar, mah tov (how good!)

²⁴ The Orach Chayyim leads upward to the wise, in order that he may depart from Sheol beneath.

²⁵ Hashem will destroy the bais of the proud, but he will maintain the boundary of the almanah.

²⁶ The thoughts of the rah are a to’evah to Hashem, but the words of the tehorim (pure ones) are pleasant.

²⁷ He that is greedy of unjust gain troubleth his own bais, but he that hateth mattanot (bribes) shall live.

²⁸ The lev tzaddik studieth how to answer, but the peh (mouth) of the resha’im poureth out evil things.

²⁹ Hashem is far from the resha’im, but He heareth the tefillah of the tzaddikim.

³⁰ The ohr (light) of the eynayim rejoiceth the lev, and a good report giveth health to the etzem.

³¹ The ozen that heareth the tokhakhat chayyim (reproof of life) lodgeth among chachamim.

³² He that refuseth musar despiseth his own nefesh, but he that heareth tokhakhat (reproof) gaineth lev [of understanding].

³³ The Yirat Hashem is the musar of chochmah; and before kavod (honor) is anavah (humility).

16 The plans of the lev belong to adam, and the answer of the lashon is from Hashem.

² All the drakhei ish are pure in his own eynayim, but Hashem weigheth the ruchot.

³ Commit thy ma’asim (works) unto Hashem, and thy plans shall be established.

⁴ Hashem works out all things for Himself, indeed, even the rasha (wicked) for the Yom Ra’ah (day of evil).

⁵ Every one that is proud in lev is to’evat Hashem; though yad join in yad, he shall not go unpunished.

⁶ By chesed and emes avon is purged, and by the Yirat Hashem men depart from rah.

⁷ When drakhei ish please Hashem, He maketh even his oyevim to be in shalom with him.

⁸ Better is a little with tzedakah than great revenues without mishpat (justice).

⁹ The lev adam plans his derech, but Hashem directeth his steps.

¹⁰ A kesem (oracle) is on the sfatayim (lips) of Melech, his peh (mouth) must not betray mishpat.

¹¹ A just weight and balance are Hashem’s, all the weights of the bag are His concern.

¹² It is to’evat melachim to commit resha (wickedness), for the kisse is established through tzedakah.

¹³ Sfatayim (lips) of tzedek are the delight of melachim; and they love him that speaketh yesharim (upright things).

¹⁴ The wrath of a melech is as malachim of mavet, but an ish chacham will appease it.

¹⁵ In the light of the countenance of melech is chayyim, and his favor is like the cloud of a spring rain.

¹⁶ How much better is it to acquire chochmah than zahav, and acquiring binah (understanding) a better choice than kesef!

¹⁷ The mesilat yesharim (highway of the upright) is to depart from rah; he that guards his derech is shomer over his nefesh (soul).

¹⁸ Ga’on (pride) goeth before shever (destruction), and a ruach of haughtiness before a fall.

¹⁹ Better it is to be of a humble ruach among the anayim, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

²⁰ He that wisely heeds the Davar shall find tov (good), and he who trusteth in Hashem, happy is he.

²¹ The chacham lev shall be called prudent, and the sweetness of the sfatayim (lips) adds to learning.

²² Seichel is a Makor Chayyim unto him that hath it, but the musar (instruction, discipline) of fools is folly.

²³ The lev chacham guides his peh (mouth), and addeth learning to his sfatayim (lips).

²⁴ Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the nefesh, and marpeh (healing) to the atzmot (bones).

²⁵ There is a derech that seemeth yashar (right) before an ish, but its acharit (future, latter end) is the drakhei mavet.

²⁶ The nefesh (appetite) of the laborer works for him, for his peh (mouth) of hunger driveth him on.

²⁷ An ish Beliya’al diggeth up ra’ah, and in his sfatayim (lips) there is as a scorching eish.

²⁸ A perverse ish soweth madon (strife, dissension), and a whisperer separateth close friends.

²⁹ An ish chamas enticeth his re’a, and leadeth him into the derech that is not good.

³⁰ He winking his eynayim to plot perverse things, compressing his sfatayim (lips), bringeth ra’ah to pass.

³¹ The silvery hair is an ateret tiferet; it is found in the derech tzedakah.

³² He that is slow to anger is better than the gibbor; and he that ruleth his ruach than he that captures a city.

³³ The goral is cast into the kheyk (lap), but the whole decision thereof is from Hashem.

17 Better is a dry crust, and quietness therewith, than a bais full of zevakhim (sacrificial religious meals) with strife.

² An eved maskil (wise servant) shall have rule over a ben that causeth shame, and shall have a share of the nachalah among the achim.

³ The crucible is for kesef, and the furnace for zahav, but Hashem is the testor of hearts.

⁴ An evildoer giveth heed to false sfatayim (lips), and a sheker (liar) giveth ear to a spiteful lashon.

⁵ He who mocketh the poor showeth contempt for his Oseh (Maker), and he that gloats at calamities shall not go unpunished.

⁶ Bnei banim are the ateret of zekenim; and the tiferet of banim are their avot.

⁷ Eloquent speech becometh not a naval (fool), much less do lying sfatayim (lips) a ruler.

⁸ A shochad (gift, bribe) is like a charm in the eynayim of him that hath it: wherever he turneth, he prospereth.

⁹ He that covereth a peysha (transgression) seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth the best of friends.

¹⁰ Ge’arah (scolding) goeth deeper into a meiven than a hundred blows into a kesil (fool).

¹¹ A rah seeketh only rebellion; therefore a merciless malach shall be sent to him.

¹² Let an ish meet a dov robbed of her cubs rather than a kesil in his folly.

¹³ He who rewardeth ra’ah for tovah, ra’ah shall not depart from his bais.

¹⁴ The beginning of madon (strife) is like releasing mayim, therefore stop contention before a quarrel begins.

¹⁵ He that justifieth the rashah, and he that condemneth the tzaddik, even they both are to’evah to Hashem.

¹⁶ Why is there the purchase price in the yad of a kesil (fool) to acquire chochmah, seeing he hath no lev for it?

¹⁷ The re’a (friend) loveth at all times, and a brother is born for tzarah (adversity).

¹⁸ Adam devoid of lev [of understanding] shaketh hands in pledge, and becometh the security deposit for his neighbor.

¹⁹ He loveth peysha (transgression, sin) that loveth strife, and he that maketh his threshold high seeketh shever (fracture).

²⁰ He that hath a crooked mind findeth no tov, and he that hath a deceitful lashon falleth into ra’ah.

²¹ He that begetteth a kesil doeth it to his sorrow, and the avi naval hath no simchah.

²² A lev same’ach doeth tov like a medicine, but a downcast ruach drieth up the bones.

²³ A rasha accepts a shochad (bribe) out of the kheyk (bosom, i.e., secretly) to pervert the orkhot mishpat (paths of justice).

²⁴ Chochmah is before the meiven (discerning one); but the eynayim of a kesil are on the ends of ha’aretz.

²⁵ A ben kesil is a ka’as (grief) to aviv (his father), and bitterness to her that bore him.

²⁶ Also to punish the tzaddik is not tov, nor to flog officials for their yashar (uprightness, integrity).

²⁷ He that hath da’as spareth his words, and an ish tevunah (man of understanding) is of a calm ruach.

²⁸ Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted chacham, and he that shutteth his sfatayim (lips) is esteemed a man of understanding.

18 A man who separates himself seeks his own ta’avah (desire); he defies all tushiyyah (wisdom, sound judgment).

² A kesil (fool) hath no delight in tevunah (understanding), but only in airing out his lev (mind, opinions).

³ When the rashah cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonor, cherpah (reproach, disgrace).

⁴ The devarim of a man’s mouth are deep mayim; the makor chochmah is a flowing stream.

⁵ It is not tov to show partiality to the rashah, to subvert the tzaddik in mishpat.

⁶ The sfatayim (lips) of a kesil enter into contention, and his peh (mouth) inviteth blows.

⁷ The peh (mouth) of a kesil is his undoing, and his sfatayim (lips) are the mokesh (snare) of his nefesh.

⁸ The devarim of a nirgan (gossip, talebearer, slanderer) are like mitlachamim (delicious tidbits), and they go down into the innermost parts of the beten (belly).

⁹ He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is ba’al mashchit (master of destruction).

¹⁰ The Shem of Hashem is a strong migdal (tower), the tzaddik runneth into it, and is safe.

¹¹ The oisher’s wealth is his strong city, and is a high chomah in his own conceit.

¹² Before shever (destruction) the lev ish is haughty, and before kavod is anavah (humility).

¹³ He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and kelimmah (reproach, shame) unto him.

¹⁴ The ruach ish will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed ruach who can bear?

¹⁵ The lev of the prudent acquireth da’as, and the ozen of the chachamim seeketh da’as.

¹⁶ The mattan adam (gift of a man) openeth the way for him, and bringeth him before gedolim.

¹⁷ He that is harishon (the first) to make his case seemeth tzaddik, but his re’a cometh and doth cross-examine him.

¹⁸ The goral (lot) causeth contentions to cease, and keepeth the mighty apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and their contentious quarrelings are like the bars of an armon (citadel).

²⁰ An ish’s beten shall be filled with the fruit of his peh (mouth), and with the produce of his sfatayim (lips) shall he be satisfied.

²¹ Mavet and chayyim are in the power of the lashon, and they that love it shall eat the p’ri (fruit) thereof.

²² He who findeth an isha (wife) findeth tov, and obtaineth ratzon (favor) from Hashem.

²³ The poor useth entreaties, but the oisher answereth roughly.

²⁴ An ish of many companions may come to ruin, but there is an ohev (friend) that sticketh closer than a brother.

19 Better is the poor that walketh in his tohm (integrity, guilelessness), than he that is perverse in his sfatayim (lips), and is a kesil (fool).

² Also, that the nefesh (desire) be without da’as, it is not tov, and he that hasteth with his raglayim (feet) sinneth.

³ The folly of adam maketh his derech crooked, yet his lev rages against Hashem.

⁴ Wealth maketh many friends, but the dal (poor) is separated from his re’a (neighbor).

⁵ An ed shekarim (false witness) shall not go unpunished, and he that speaketh kezavim (lies) shall not escape.

⁶ Rabbim (many) will entreat the favor of the ruler, and every ish is the re’a (friend) to him that giveth mattan (gifts).

⁷ All the kin of the rahsh (pauper) do hate him; how much more does his friend avoid him? He pursueth them with words, yet they are not there.

⁸ He that getteth lev [of understanding] loveth his own nefesh; he that is shomer over tevunah (understanding) shall find tov.

⁹ An ed shekarim (false witness) shall not go unpunished, and he that speaketh kezavim (lies) shall perish.

¹⁰ Luxury is not fitting for a kesil (fool); much less for an eved to have rule over sarim.

¹¹ The seichel adam deferreth his anger, and it is his tiferet (glory) to pass over a peysha (transgression).

¹² The wrath of a melech is like the roaring of a lion, but his ratzon (favor) is as tal (dew) upon the esev (grass).

¹³ A ben kesil is the calamity of aviv (his father), and the contentions of an isha are a constant dripping [i.e., an irritant].

¹⁴ Bais and hon (wealth) are the nachalah avot, and a prudent isha (wife) is from Hashem.

¹⁵ Atzlah (slothfulness, laziness) casteth into a tardemah (deep sleep), and a nefesh remiyyah (a deceitfully lazy soul) shall suffer hunger.

¹⁶ He that is shomer over the mitzvah is shomer over his own nefesh, but he that is reckless in his drakhim shall die.

¹⁷ He that hath compassion on the dal (poor) lendeth unto Hashem; and for his benefits He will repay him.

¹⁸ Chasten binecha (thy son) while there is yet tikvah, and give not in to thy nefesh (desire) to kill him.

¹⁹ One of gadol chemah (great temper) shall bear onesh (punishment), for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

²⁰ Hear etzah, and accept musar, that thou mayest be wise in thy acharit (latter end, future).

²¹ There are many plans in a lev ish; nevertheless it is the etzah of Hashem that shall stand.

²² The ta’avah (what is desirable) in an adam is his chesed, and a rahsh (pauper) is better than an ish kazav (liar).

²³ The Yirat Hashem tendeth to chayyim, and he that hath it shall rest secure; he shall not be visited by rah.

²⁴ An atzel (sluggard, lazy one) thrusteth his yad into his dish, and will not so much as bring it back to his peh (mouth) again.

²⁵ Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn what is prudent, and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand da’as.

²⁶ He that mistreateth his av, and driveth out his em, is a ben that causeth shame, and bringeth cherpah.

²⁷ Cease, beni (my son), to hear musar and thou shalt go astray from the words of da’as.

²⁸ An ed beliya’al (corrupt witness) scorneth mishpat (justice), and the peh (mouth) of the resha’im devoureth iniquity.

²⁹ Shefatim (penalties, judgments) are prepared for scoffers, and for kesilim, beatings for the back.

20 The yayin is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever is seduced to be led astray thereby is not wise.

² The wrath of a melech is as the roaring of a lion; he who provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own nefesh.

³ It is kavod for an ish to cease from strife, but any fool can start a quarrel.

⁴ The atzel (sluggard, lazy one) will not plow by reason of choref (winter, cold); therefore shall he beg at katzir (harvest), and have nothing.

⁵ Etzah (purpose; see Yn 2:24-25 ) in the lev ish is like deep mayim, but an ish tevunah will draw it out.

⁶ Rav adam will proclaim every one his own chesed, but an ish emunim (faithful man, loyal man) who can find one?

⁷ The tzaddik walketh in his tohm (integrity, guilelessness); his banim after him are blessed.

⁸ A melech that sitteth in the kisse din (throne of judgment) winnows out all rah with his eynayim.

⁹ Who can say, I have made my lev pure, I am tahor from my chattat?

¹⁰ Differing weights, and differing measures, both of them are alike to’evah to Hashem.

¹¹ Even a na’ar (child) is known by his ways, whether his conduct be pure, and whether it be yashar (right).

¹² The hearing ozen, and the seeing ayin, Hashem hath made even both of them.

¹³ Love not sheynah (sleep), lest thou come to poverty; open thine eynayim, and thou shalt have enough lechem.

¹⁴ It is good for nothing, it is naught, saith the koneh (buyer), but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

¹⁵ There is zahav, and a multitude of rubies, but the sfatayim (lips) of da’as are a precious jewel.

¹⁶ Take his garment that is guaranty for a zar (stranger), and hold it as his pledge for a nokhriyah (foreign woman, strange woman, seductress).

¹⁷ Lechem from sheker (deceit) is sweet to an ish, but afterwards his peh (mouth) shall be filled with gravel.

¹⁸ Every plan is established by etzah, and with tachbulot (guidance) wage milchamah.

¹⁹ He that goeth about as a rakhil (gossip, slanderer, talebearer) revealeth secrets; therefore associate not with the babbler.

²⁰ He who curseth aviv or immo, his ner (lamp) shall be put out in deep choshech.

²¹ A nachalah (inheritance) may be gotten hastily at the rishonah (beginning); but the acharit (latter end) thereof shall not have a bracha.

²² Say not thou, I will pay back rah; but wait on Hashem, and He shall save thee.

²³ Differing weights are a to’evah unto Hashem, and scales of mirmah (deceit) are not tov.

²⁴ The steps of a gever are from Hashem; how can an adam then understand his own derech (way, life’s course)?

²⁵ It is a mokesh adam to devote rashly as kodesh, and after nedarim (vows) to reconsider his consecration.

²⁶ A melech chacham winnows out the resha’im and bringeth the ofan (threshing wheel) over them.

²⁷ The neshamah of adam is the ner (light) of Hashem, searching all the innermost beten.

²⁸ Chesed and emes guard the Melech, and his kisse is upheld by chesed.

²⁹ The tiferet (glory) of bochurim is their ko’ach (strength), and the hadar (splendor) of zekenim is the silvery head.

³⁰ Blows that wound cleanseth away rah; so do beatings the innermost beten.

21 The lev melech is in the yad Hashem, as the channels of mayim; He directeth it wherever He will.

² Every derech ish is yashar (right) in his own eynayim, but Hashem weigheth the hearts.

³ To do tzedakah and mishpat is more acceptable to Hashem than zevach.

⁴ A high and haughty eye, and a proud lev—ner resha’im (the lamp of the wicked ones)—are chattat (sin).

⁵ The plans of the kharutz (diligent) lead surely to profit; but of every one that is hasty surely to machsor (poverty, want).

⁶ The getting of otzarot by a lashon sheker is hevel (vain, empty, meaningless) and fleeting for them that seek mavet.

⁷ The violence of the resha’im shall drag them away; because they refuse to do mishpat (justice).

⁸ The derech of the guilty ish is hafachpach (crooked, tortuous), but as for the pure, his conduct is yashar (right).

⁹ It is better to dwell in a corner of the gag (roof), than with a quarrelsome isha in a shared bais.

¹⁰ The nefesh of the rashah desireth rah; his re’a findeth no mercy in his eynayim.

¹¹ When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise, and when insight is disclosed to the chacham, he receiveth da’as.

¹² The tzaddik (righteous one) wisely considereth the bais of the rashah, and hurleth the resha’im to rah.

¹³ He who stoppeth his ozen at the cry of the dal (poor), he also shall cry out himself, but shall not be heard.

¹⁴ A mattan (gift) in secret pacifieth af (anger), and a shochad (bribe) in the kheyk (bosom, i.e., a concealed bribe) strong wrath.

¹⁵ It is simchah to the tzaddik to do mishpat, but terror for the po’alei aven (workers of iniquity).

¹⁶ The adam that wandereth astray from the derech haseichel (road of understanding) shall rest in the kahal of the refa’im (congregation of the dead).

¹⁷ The ohev simchah (lover of pleasure) shall be an ish machsor (man of poverty, want, shortage); he that loveth yayin and shemen shall not be rich.

¹⁸ The reshah shall be a kofer (ransom) for the tzaddik, and the boged (the unfaithful) for the yesharim.

¹⁹ It is better to dwell in eretz midbar, than with a quarrelsome and an angry isha.

²⁰ There is otzar to be desired and shemen in the naveh (dwelling) of the chacham; but a kesil adam squanders it.

²¹ He that pursueth tzedakah and chesed findeth chayyim, tzedakah, and kavod.

²² A chacham scaleth the city of the gibborim (mighty ones), and casteth down the trusted stronghold thereof.

²³ He who is shomer over his peh (mouth) and his lashon (tongue) is shomer over his nefesh from tzoros.

²⁴ Proud and haughty scoffer is shmo, who acteth in superfluity of zadon (pride).

²⁵ The ta’avah (desire, craving) of the atzel (sluggard, lazy one) killeth him, for his yadayim refuse to work.

²⁶ He craveth greedily kol hayom, but the tzaddik giveth and spareth not.

²⁷ The zevach of the resha’im is to’evah (detestable, abomination); how much more, when he bringeth it with zimmah (evil intent).

²⁸ An ed kezavim (lying witness) shall perish, but the ish that heareth [emes] speaketh lanetzach (unto eternity).

²⁹ An ish rasha defiantly hardeneth his face, but as for the yashar (upright) he maketh his derech (road) sure.

³⁰ There is no chochmah nor tevunah (understanding) nor etzah against Hashem.

³¹ The sus is prepared against the yom milchamah, but teshuah (victory, deliverance) is from Hashem.

22 A shem tov is rather to be desired than osher rav, and chen (grace) rather than kesef and zahav.

² The oisher (rich man) and the rahsh (pauper) have this in common: Hashem is the Oseh (Maker) of them all.

³ A prudent man foreseeth the ra’ah, and hideth himself, but the naïve trudge on, and are punished.

⁴ By anavah (humility) and the Yirat Hashem are osher, and kavod, and chayyim.

⁵ Thorns and pachim (snares) are in the derech of the crooked; he that is shomer over his nefesh shall be far from them.

⁶ Train up a na’ar in the derech (road) he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

⁷ The oisher ruleth over the rahshim (paupers), and the loveh (borrower, debtor) is eved (slave) to the ish malveh (lender).

⁸ He that soweth iniquity shall reap aven (iniquity), and the shevet (rod) of his wrath shall disappear.

⁹ He that hath a tov ayin (generous eye) shall have a bracha; for he giveth of his lechem to the dal (poor).

¹⁰ Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall leave; indeed, strife and kalon (shame) shall cease.

¹¹ He that loveth tahor lev (a pure heart), for the chen (grace) on his sfatayim (lips) the Melech shall be his re’a (friend).

¹² The eynayim of Hashem preserve da’as, and He overthroweth the devarim of the boged (unfaithful, treacherous, traitor).

¹³ The atzel (sluggard, lazy one) saith, There is an ari (lion) outside; I shall be murdered in the streets.

¹⁴ The peh (mouth) of zarot (strange women) is a deep pit; he that is under the wrath of Hashem shall fall therein.

¹⁵ Folly is bound in the lev na’ar, but the shevet musar (rod of correction) shall drive it far from him.

¹⁶ He that oppresseth the dal (poor) in order to increase, and he that giveth to the oisher, shall surely come to machsor (poverty, want).

¹⁷ Bow down thine ozen, and hear the devarim of chachamim, and apply thine lev (mind, heart) unto my da’as.

¹⁸ For it is a pleasant thing if thou be shomer over them within thee; they shall therewith abide ready upon thy sfatayim (lips).

¹⁹ That thy trust may be in Hashem, I have made thee know this yom, even thee!

²⁰ Have not I written to thee shloshim (thirty sayings) in mo’etzot (counsels) and da’as,

²¹ That I might make thee know the certain truth of the words of emes; that thou mightest bring back words of emes to them that send thee?

²² Exploit not the dal (poor), because he is dal (poor); neither oppress the oni (afflicted) in the sha’ar,

²³ For Hashem will plead their cause, and plunder the nefesh of those that plundered them.

²⁴ Make no friendship with a ba’al af (angry man), and with an ish chemot (man of wrath) thou shalt not go,

²⁵ Lest thou learn his orkhot (ways), and take a mokesh (snare) for thy nefesh.

²⁶ Be not thou one of them that shake hands in a pledge, or of them that are collateral for masha’ot (debts, loans).

²⁷ If thou hast nothing with which to pay, why should he take away thy mishkav (bed) from under thee?

²⁸ Remove not the gevul olam (ancient landmark), which avoteicha have set.

²⁹ Seest thou an ish mahir (diligent, one who excells) in his work? He shall stand before melachim; he shall not stand before obscure men.

23 When thou sittest to dine with a moshel (ruler), consider diligently what is before thee,

² And put a sakin (knife) to thy throat, if thou be a ba’al nefesh (man given to gluttony).

³ Be not desirous of his delicacies, for they are lechem kezavim (deceitful food).

⁴ Overwork not to get rich; cease from thine own binah (understanding).

⁵ Wilt thou let thine eynayim fly after that which is not? For such [wealth] certainly sprouts kenafayim (wings); they fly away as a nesher (eagle) toward Shomayim.

⁶ Eat thou not the lechem of him that hath a rah ayin (evil eye, i.e., a miser), neither desire thou his delicacies;

⁷ For as he reckoneth in his nefesh, so is he. Eat and drink, saith he to thee, but his lev is not with thee.

⁸ The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy pleasant devarim.

⁹ Speak not in the oznayim of a kesil (fool), for he will despise the seichel of thy words.

¹⁰ Remove not the gevul olam (ancient landmark); and enter not into the sadot of the yetomim (fatherless ones, orphans),

¹¹ For their Go’el is chazak (strong); He shall plead their cause against thee.

¹² Apply thine lev unto musar, and thine oznayim to the words of da’as.

¹³ Withhold not musar (correction) from the na’ar (child), for if thou spank him with the shevet, he shall not die.

¹⁴ Thou shalt spank him with the shevet, and shalt save his nefesh from Sheol.

¹⁵ Beni (my son), if thine lev be chacham, my own lev shall have simchah.

¹⁶ Indeed, my inmost being shall rejoice, when thy sfatayim (lips) speak meisharim (upright things).

¹⁷ Let not thine lev envy chatta’im, but be thou in the Yirat Hashem kol hayom.

¹⁸ For surely there is an acharit (latter end, future), and thine tikvah shall not be cut off.

¹⁹ Hear thou, beni (my son), and be chacham, and guide thine lev straight on the derech.

²⁰ Be not among yayin gluttons; among gluttonous eaters of basar,

²¹ For the drunkard and the zolel (glutton) shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe with rags.

²² Pay heed unto avicha that fathered thee, and despise not immecha when she is old.

²³ Buy emes, and sell it not; also chochmah, and musar, and binah (understanding).

²⁴ Avi tzaddik (the father of a righteous one) shall greatly rejoice, and he that fathereth a chacham shall have simchah in him.

²⁵ Avicha and immecha shall be glad, and she that bore thee shall rejoice.

²⁶ Beni (my son), give me thine lev, and let thine eynayim delight in my drakhim.

²⁷ For a zonah is a deep pit, and a nokhriyah (strange woman, foreign woman, seductress, unfaithful wife) is a narrow well.

²⁸ She also lieth in wait like a road bandit, and increaseth the bogedim (unfaithful) among adam (mankind).

²⁹ Who hath oy (woe)? Who hath sorrow? Who hath strifes? Who hath complaint? Who hath needless wounds? Who hath bloodshot eynayim?

³⁰ They that tarry long at the yayin, they that turn in to sample mixed wine.

³¹ Stare not thou into the yayin when it is red, when it sparkles in the kos (cup), when it goeth down smoothly.

³² At the acharit (latter end, future) it biteth like a nachash, and stingeth with venomous poisons like a viper.

³³ Thine eynayim shall behold zarot (strange women), and thine lev shall utter perverse things.

³⁴ Indeed, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the lev yam (heart of the sea), or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

³⁵ They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not hurt; they have beaten me, and I felt it not. Mosai (when) shall I awake? I will seek yet another drink.

24 Be not thou envious of anshei ra’ah, neither desire to be with them.

² For their lev plotteth violence, and their sfatayim (lips) talk of amal (trouble).

³ Through chochmah is a bais built, and by tevunah (understanding) it is established.

⁴ And by da’as shall the chadarim (chambers, rooms) be filled with all precious and pleasant hon (riches, wealth).

⁵ A gever chacham is strong; indeed, an ish da’as (man of knowledge) increaseth ko’ach.

⁶ For by tachbulot (guidance) thou shalt wage thy milchamah (war), and in a multitude of yo’etz (counselors) there is teshu’ah (victory, safety).

⁷ Chochmah is too lofty for a fool; he openeth not his peh (mouth) at the sha’ar.

⁸ He that plotteth to do evil shall be called a ba’al mezimmot (master of schemes).

⁹ The scheme of folly is chattat (sin), and the scoffer is a to’evah to adam (man).

¹⁰ If thou faint in the yom tzarah, thy strength is small.

¹¹ Save those who are drawn away toward mavet, and hold back those stumbling toward slaughter.

¹² If thou sayest, See, we knew it not, doth not He that weigheth the levavot consider it? And He that is guard over thy nefesh, doth not He know it? And shall not He render to every adam according to his works?

¹³ Beni (my son), eat thou devash, because it is tov; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste;

¹⁴ So shall the knowledge of chochmah be unto thy nefesh; when thou hast found it, then there shall be an acharit (latter end, future), and thy tikvah (hope) shall not be cut off.

¹⁵ Lay not in wait, O rasha, against the naveh (dwelling) of the tzaddik; assault not his resting place;

¹⁶ For a tzaddik falleth sheva (seven times), and riseth up again, but the resha’im are overthrown in ra’ah.

¹⁷ Gloat not when thine oyev falleth, and let not thine lev rejoice when he stumbleth,

¹⁸ Lest Hashem see it, and it is rah in His eyes, and He turn away His wrath from him.

¹⁹ Fret not thyself because of ra’im, neither be thou envious of the resha’im,

²⁰ For there shall be no acharit (latter end, future) to the rah; the ner (light) of the resha’im shall be put out.

²¹ Beni (my son), fear thou Hashem and the Melech, and do not associate with them that are otherwise disposed.

²² For their calamity shall arise suddenly; and who hath da’as of ruin those two [i.e., Hashem and the Melech] can bring?

²³ These things also belong to chachamim: it is not tov to show partiality in mishpat.

²⁴ He that saith unto the rashah, Thou are tzaddik, him shall the people curse, nations shall detest him;

²⁵ But to them that rebuke the wicked, it is well, and birkat tov shall come upon them.

²⁶ He that giveth an answer that is nakhon (right, correct), giveth a kiss on the sfatayim.

²⁷ Set in order thy outside work, and make ready for thyself in the sadeh; then afterwards build thine bais.

²⁸ Be not an ed (witness) against thy re’a without cause, and deceive not with thy sfatayim (lips).

²⁹ Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me, I will render to the ish according to his work.

³⁰ I went by the sadeh of the ish atzel (sluggard, lazy one), and went past the kerem (vineyard) of the adam chasar lev (the man void of lev [of understanding]),

³¹ And, hinei, it was all grown over with thorns, and charullim (nettles) had covered the surface thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

³² Then I saw, and considered it well in my lev; I looked upon it, and received musar.

³³ Yet a little shenot (slumber), a little sleep, a little folding of the yadayim to rest;

³⁴ So shall thy poverty come like a prowler; and thy want like an ish mogen (armed warrior).

25 These are also mishlei Sh’lomo, which the anashim of Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah copied out:

² It is the Kavod Elohim to conceal a thing, but the kavod melachim is to search out a matter.

³ The Shomayim for height, and Eretz for depth, so the lev melachim is unsearchable.

⁴ Take away the dross from the kesef, and there shall come forth a vessel for the tzoref (silversmith);

⁵ Take away the rasha from before Melech, and his kisse shall be established in tzedek.

⁶ Do not exalt thyself in the presence of Melech, and stand not in the makom (place) of gedolim;

⁷ For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up here, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the noble whom thine eynayim have seen.

⁸ Go not forth hastily to bring a lawsuit, lest thou know not what to do in the acharit thereof, when thy re’a hath put thee to shame.

⁹ Plead thy cause with thy re’a himself; and betray not a sod (confidence) to another,

¹⁰ Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and the evil report of thee never depart.

¹¹ A word aptly spoken is like tapukhim (apples) of zahav in settings of kesef.

¹² As a nezem (earring) of zahav, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a mochi’ach chacham (a wise reprover) upon an obedient ozen.

¹³ As the cold of sheleg (snow) in the yom katzir (day of harvest), so is a tzir ne’eman (faithful envoy) to them that send him; for he refresheth the nefesh of his adonim.

¹⁴ He who boasteth falsely of giving is like clouds and ruach (wind) without geshem (rain).

¹⁵ By forbearance is a katzin (ruler) persuaded, and a gentle lashon breaketh the bone.

¹⁶ Hast thou found devash? Eat only as much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it out.

¹⁷ Let thy regel (foot) seldom be in thy neighbor’s bais; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

¹⁸ An ish that beareth ed sheker (false witness) against his re’a is a club, and a cherev, and a sharp khetz (arrow).

¹⁹ Confidence in a boged in the yom tzarah is like a shen ra’ah (bad tooth), and a regel out of joint.

²⁰ As he that taketh away a beged (garment) on a cold day, and as chometz (vinegar) upon lye, so is he that singeth shirim (songs) to a lev rah (heavy heart, i.e., depressed person).

²¹ If thine enemy be hungry, give him lechem to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him mayim to drink;

²² For so shalt thou heap hot coals upon his rosh, and Hashem shall reward thee.

²³ The ruach tzafon (north wind) brings forth geshem; so doth a lashon seter (backbiting tongue) bring an angry countenance.

²⁴ It is better to dwell in the corner of the gag (roof), than in a bais shared with a quarrelsome isha.

²⁵ As cold mayim to a weary nefesh, so is good news from a far country.

²⁶ A tzaddik who falters before the rasha is like a muddy spring, and a polluted makor (fountain).

²⁷ It is not tov to eat much devash; so for men to seek their own kavod is not glory.

²⁸ He that hath no rule over his own ruach is like an ir that is broken down, and without a chomah (wall).

26 As sheleg (snow) in kayitz (summer), and as matar (rain) at katzir (harvest), so kavod is not fitting for a kesil (fool).

² As the tzippor in its fluttering, as the swallow in its flying, so the kelelah (curse) without cause shall not alight.

³ A shot (whip) for the sus, a bridle for the chamor, and a shevet for the back of kesilim.

⁴ Answer not a kesil (fool) according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

⁵ Answer a kesil (fool) according to his folly, lest he be chacham in his own eyes.

⁶ He that sendeth a message by the yad of a kesil (fool) cutteth off the raglayim, and drinketh chamas.

⁷ The legs of the pisei’ach (lame man) hang limp; so is a mashal in the peh (mouth) of kesilim.

⁸ As he that bindeth an even (stone) in a sling, so is he that giveth kavod to a kesil (fool).

⁹ As a thornbush goeth up into the yad of a shikkor, so is a mashal in the peh (mouth) of kesilim.

¹⁰ Like an archer wounding all, so is he that hireth the kesil (fool), or hireth the passerby.

¹¹ As a kelev returneth to his vomit, so a kesil (fool) returneth to his folly.

¹² Seest thou an ish chacham in his own eyes? There is more tikvah (hope) for a kesil (fool) than for him.

¹³ The atzel (sluggard, lazy one) saith, There is a lion in the derech; an ari is in the rechovot.

¹⁴ As the delet (door) turneth upon its hinges, so doth the atzel (sluggard, lazy one) upon his mittah (bed).

¹⁵ The atzel (sluggard, lazy one) hideth his yad in his dish; it’s too tiring to bring it back to his peh (mouth) again.

¹⁶ The atzel (sluggard, lazy one) is chacham in his own eyes, more than seven that give an excellent answer.

¹⁷ He that passeth by, and meddleth in a quarrel that doth not belong to him, is like one that taketh a kelev by the oznayim.

¹⁸ As a mad man who shooteth firebrands, khitzim (arrows), and mavet,

¹⁹ So is the ish that deceiveth his re’a, and saith, Am I not just having a laugh?

²⁰ Where no wood is, there the eish goeth out; so where there is no nirgan (gossip, slanderer, talebearer), the strife dieth down.

²¹ As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to eish; so is a contentious ish to kindle strife.

²² The devarim of a nirgan (gossip, slanderer, talebearer) are like tasty morsels, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the beten.

²³ Fervent sfatayim (lips) and a lev rah are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

²⁴ He that hateth disguises it with his sfatayim (lips), and within harboreth mirmah (deceit);

²⁵ When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are sheva to’avot in his lev.

²⁶ Whose hatred is covered by guile, yet his wickedness shall be exposed before the whole kahal.

²⁷ He who diggeth a shachat (pit) shall fall therein, and he that rolleth an even (stone), it will roll back upon him.

²⁸ A lashon sheker hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering peh (mouth) worketh ruin.

27 Boast not thyself of yom makhar (tomorrow), for thou hast no da’as of what a yom may bring forth.

² Let another praise thee, and not thine own peh (mouth); a nokhri (stranger), and not thine own sfatayim (lips).

³ An even (stone) is heavy, and the chol (sand) weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.

⁴ Chemah (anger) is cruel, and fury is a torrent, but who is able to stand before kinah (jealousy, envy)?

⁵ Open tovah tokhakhat (good, constructive reproof) is better than secret ahavah.

⁶ Ne’emanim (faithful) are the wounds of an ohev (friend); but deceitful the neshikot (kisses) of an enemy.

⁷ The full nefesh trampleth a honeycomb, but to the hungry nefesh every mar (bitter thing) is sweet.

⁸ As a tzippor that wandereth from her ken (nest), so is an ish that wandereth from his makom (place, home).

⁹ Shemen and ketoret rejoice the lev; so doth the sweet discourse of a re’a (friend) from an atzat nefesh (a counselling of the soul).

¹⁰ Thine own re’a (friend), and the re’a avicha, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s bais in the yom of thy calamity; for better is a shakhen (neighbor) that is near than a brother far off.

¹¹ Beni (my son), be chacham, and make my lev glad, that I may answer my accusers.

¹² A prudent man foreseeth ra’ah, and hideth himself; but the naïve ones trudge on, and are punished.

¹³ Take his beged (garment) that is collateral for a zar; seize the pledge given for surety for a nokhriyah (strange woman, foreign woman, seductress).

¹⁴ He that maketh a bracha on his re’a (friend) with a kol gadol (loud voice), rising early in the boker, it shall be counted a kelalah to him.

¹⁵ A continual dripping in a very rainy day and a quarrelsome isha are alike;

¹⁶ To restrain her is like restraining the ruach (wind), and like grasping shemen in the right hand.

¹⁷ Barzel (iron) sharpeneth barzel (iron); so one ish sharpeneth another.

¹⁸ He who is guard over the te’enah (fig tree) shall eat the p’ri (fruit) thereof, so he that is shomer over his adon shall be honored.

¹⁹ As mayim reflecteth the face, so one lev ha’adam reflects another.

²⁰ Sheol and Avaddon are never full; so the eynayim of adam are never satisfied.

²¹ As the crucible is for kesef, and the furnace for zahav; so is an ish tested by the praise he receives.

²² Though thou shouldest grind a fool in the makhtesh (mortar) among grain with the pestle, yet will not his folly be removed from him.

²³ Be thou diligent to know the condition of thy tzon, and look well to thy adarim (flocks).

²⁴ For riches are not l’olam (forever); and doth the nezer (crown) endure dor vador?

²⁵ The hay is removed, and the deshe (tender grass) showeth itself, and herbs of the harim are gathered,

²⁶ The kevasim (lambs) are for thy clothing, and the goats are the purchase price of the sadeh.

²⁷ And thou shalt have cholov of izzim (goats) enough for thy lechem, for the lechem of thy bais, and for the nourishment of thy na’arot (servant girls).

28 The rasha flee when none pursueth; but the tzaddikim are bold as a lion.

² For the peysha eretz (land in rebellion) many are the sarim (rulers) thereof, but by an adam meiven yodei’a (a man of wisdom and knowledge) shall be lasting order.

³ A gever rahsh (poor man) that oppresseth the dalim (poor ones) is like a sweeping matar (rain) which leaveth no lechem (food, crop).

⁴ They that forsake the torah praise the rasha, but such as be shomer over the torah contend against them.

⁵ Anshei rah understand not mishpat, but they that seek Hashem understand all things.

⁶ Better is the rahsh (poor) that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his drakhim (ways), though he be rich.

⁷ He who keepeth torah is a ben meiven, but he that is a companion of zolelim (gluttons) shameth aviv.

⁸ He that by neshekh (interest) and increase increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the dalim (poor ones).

⁹ He that turneth away his ozen from mishmo’a torah (heeding torah), even his tefillah (prayer) shall be to’evah (abomination).

¹⁰ He who causeth the yesharim (upright ones) to go astray in a derech rah, he shall fall himself into his own trap, but the blameless ones shall inherit tov.

¹¹ The ish oisher is chacham in his own eyes, but the dal meiven (poor man with understanding) searcheth him out.

¹² When tzaddikim do triumph, there is rabbah tiferet (great glory), but when the resha’im rise, the people go into hiding.

¹³ He that covereth his peysha’im (sins) shall not prosper, but he who confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy.

¹⁴ Ashrei adam that is reverent always, but he that hardeneth his lev shall fall into ra’ah.

¹⁵ As a roaring ari, and a charging dov (bear), so is a wicked moshel (ruler) over the am dal (poor people).

¹⁶ The nagid (ruler) lacking tevunot (understanding) is also a great oppressor, but he that hateth betza (ill-gotten gain) shall prolong his yamim (days).

¹⁷ If an adam is burdened with dahm (blood, murder) of any nefesh, let him be a fugitive ad bor (till the pit, death); let no ish help him.

¹⁸ He who walketh tamim (blamelessly) shall be saved, but he that is perverse in his drakhim shall fall suddenly.

¹⁹ He that tilleth his adamah shall have plenty of lechem, but he that chaseth after empty things shall have poverty enough.

²⁰ An ish emunot (faithful man, loyal man) shall abound with birkhot, but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.

²¹ To show partiality is not tov; for a piece of lechem that gever will transgress.

²² He that hasteth to be rich hath a rah ayin, and considereth not that want shall come upon him.

²³ He that rebuketh an adam afterwards shall find more chen (favor) than he that flattereth with the lashon.

²⁴ He who robbeth aviv or immo, and saith, It is no peysha (transgression), the same is the chaver (fellow, companion) of an ish mashchit (man of destruction).

²⁵ The covetous stirreth up strife, but he that putteth his trust in Hashem shall be prospered.

²⁶ He that trusteth in his own lev is a kesil (fool), but he who walketh in chochmah, he shall be delivered.

²⁷ He that giveth unto the rahsh (poor) shall not lack, but he that hideth his eynayim meeteth many curses.

²⁸ When the resha’im rise, adam hide themselves, but when they perish, the tzaddikim increase.

29 He, that being often reproved, stiffeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without marpeh (remedy).

² When the tzaddikim are increased, the people rejoice, but when the rasha beareth rule, the people groan.

³ He who loveth chochmah rejoiceth aviv, but he that keepeth company with zonot squanders his hon (substance, wealth).

⁴ Melech by mishpat establisheth eretz, but an ish terumot (a man of bribes) bringeth it down.

⁵ A gever that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a reshet (net) for his feet.

⁶ By peysha (transgression) an ish rah is snared, but the tzaddik doth sing and have simchah.

⁷ The tzaddik considereth the cause of the dalim, but the rasha (wicked) doeth not understand such da’as (knowledge).

⁸ Scornful men enflame a city, but chachamim turn away af (wrath).

⁹ If an ish chacham has to contend with a fool, he [the fool] rageth or laugheth, and hath no rest.

¹⁰ The anshei damim hate integrity, but the yesharim seek his nefesh (soul, i.e., his soul’s well-being).

¹¹ A kesil (fool) uttereth all his wrath, but a chacham keepeth it back quietly.

¹² If a moshel pays heed to davar sheker, all his mesharetim (officials, ministers) are resha’im.

¹³ The rahsh (pauper) and the oppressor have this in common: Hashem enlighteneth both their eynayim.

¹⁴ If Melech shofet be’emes (judges in truth) the dalim, his kisse shall be established forever.

¹⁵ The shevet (rod) and tokhakhat (reproof) give chochmah, but a na’ar (child) left to himself bringeth immo to shame.

¹⁶ When the resha’im are multiplied, peysha (transgression) increaseth, but the tzaddikim shall see their downfall.

¹⁷ Correct binecha, and he shall give thee rest; indeed, he shall give delight unto thy nefesh.

¹⁸ Where there is no chazon (prophetic vision), the people cast off restaint [i.e., perish ungovernable], but he that is shomer over the torah, happy is he.

¹⁹ An eved will not be corrected by devarim, for though he understand he will not answer.

²⁰ Seest thou an ish that is hasty in his devarim? There is more tikvah for a kesil (fool) than for him.

²¹ He that pampers his eved from youth up shall have him as his ben at the acharit (end).

²² An ish af (angry man) stirreth up strife, and a ba’al chemah (ill-tempered man) aboundeth in peysha (transgression).

²³ Ga’avat adam (pride of man) shall bring him low, but the humble in ruach shall attain kavod.

²⁴ He who is partner with a ganav hateth his own nefesh; he heareth the curse of the victim but discloses nothing.

²⁵ The fear of adam bringeth a mokesh (snare), but he who putteth his trust in Hashem shall be secure.

²⁶ Many seek the moshel’s favor, but mishpat ish cometh from Hashem.

²⁷ An unjust man is a to’evah to the tzaddikim, and he that is yeshar derech (upright in the way) is to’evah to the rasha.

30 The devarim of Agur Ben Yakeh, even the massa; the gever (man) spoke unto Itiel, even unto Itiel and Uchal:

² Surely I am more stupid than any ish, and have not the binat adam.

³ I neither learned chochmah, nor have the da’as of the kadoshim.

⁴ Who hath ascended into Shomayim, or descended? Who hath gathered ruach in the hollows of His hands? Who hath bound the mayim in a cloak? Who hath established all the afsei aretz (ends of the earth)? What is Shmo (His Name), and what is Shem Bno (the Name of His Son [See Memra, creative Word of G-d in Targumim]), if thou canst tell?

⁵ Every word of G-d is flawless; He is a mogen unto them that take refuge in Him.

⁶ Add thou not unto His devarim, lest He rebuke thee, and thou be found a kazav (liar).

⁷ Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before my mot;

⁸ Remove far from me shav (vanity, falsehood) and davar kazav (word of a liar); give me neither poverty nor osher; feed me lechem chukki (my daily bread);

⁹ Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is Hashem? Or lest I be poor, and become a ganav, and profane the Shem of Elohai.

¹⁰ Do not slander an eved unto his adon, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

¹¹ There is a dor (generation) that curseth its av, and doth not make a bracha on its em.

¹² There is a dor (generation) that is tahor (pure) in its own eynayim, and yet is not washed from its filthiness.

¹³ There is a dor (generation), O how haughty in loftiness are their eynayim! And their eyelids are proudly lifted up.

¹⁴ There is a dor (generation), whose teeth are as charavot (swords), and their jaw teeth are as knives, to devour the aniyim (oppressed poor ones) from off ha’aretz, and the evyonim (needy ones) from among adam.

¹⁵ The leech hath two banot: Give! Give! There are shalosh (three) that are never satisfied, indeed, four things never say, Enough!

¹⁶ Sheol, and the barren womb; eretz that is never satisfied with mayim; and eish that saith not, Enough!

¹⁷ The ayin (eye) that mocketh at av, and scorneth to obey em, the ravens of the valley shall peck it out, and the bnei nesher shall eat it.

¹⁸ There are shalosh which are too wonderful for me, indeed, four which I understand not;

¹⁹ The derech hanesher (way of the eagle) in the sky; the derech nachash upon a tzur (rock); the derech oniyah (way of a sailing vessel) in the midst of the yam (sea); and the derech gever (way of a man) with an almah (unmarried young virgin; see Gn 24:43,16,63-65.

²⁰ Such is the derech isha mena’efet (way of an adulterous woman): she eateth, and wipeth her peh (mouth), and saith, I have done no wrong.

²¹ For shalosh the eretz is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:

²² For an eved (slave) when he reigneth; and a naval (fool) when he is full with lechem;

²³ For an unloved woman when she is married; and a shifchah that displaces her gevirah (lady, mistress).

²⁴ There are four things which are little upon eretz, but they are exceeding chachamim:

²⁵ The nemalim (ants) are an am (people) not strong, yet they store up their lechem in the kayitz (summer);

²⁶ The badgers are but a feeble folk, yet they make their bais in the rocks;

²⁷ The arbeh (locusts) have no melech, yet they go forth all of them in ranks;

²⁸ The lizard can be held in the hands, yet is in heikhelot (palaces) of a melech.

²⁹ There are shloshah which are majestic in stride, indeed, four are stately in walk:

³⁰ A lion which is gibbor among behemah (beasts), and retreateth not from any;

³¹ The strutting rooster; the he-goat also; and a melech, when his army is with him.

³² If thou hast done foolishly in exalting thyself, or if thou hast devised rah, lay thine yad upon thy peh.

³³ Surely the churning of cholov (milk) bringeth forth khemah (butter), and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth dahm; so the stirring up of anger bringeth forth strife.

31 The devarim of Lemuel Melech, the massa (burden, oracle) that immo taught him.

² What, my bar (son, see Ps 2:12)? And what, the bar of my womb? And what, the bar of my nedarim (vows)?

³ Give not thy strength unto nashim, nor thy drakhim to that which destroyeth melachim.

⁴ It is not for melachim, O Lemuel, it is not for melachim to drink yayin; nor for rulers to crave strong drink;

⁵ Lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice of the bnei oni (all the oppressed afflicted people).

⁶ Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and yayin unto those that be of bitter nefesh.

⁷ Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his amal (misery) no more.

⁸ Open thy peh (mouth) for the illem (mute) in the cause of all such as are bnei chalof (sons of destitution).

⁹ Open thy peh (mouth), judge tzedek, and plead the cause of the oni and the evyon.

¹⁰ Who can find an aishes chayil (a woman of valor, an excellent wife Prov 12:4)? For her worth is far above rubies.

¹¹ The lev of her ba’al (husband) doth securely trust in her, so that he shall have no lack of gain.

¹² She will do him tov and not rah all the days of her life.

¹³ She seeketh tzemer (wool), and flax, and worketh willingly with her palms.

¹⁴ She is like the oniyyot socher (ship merchant); she bringeth her lechem from afar.

¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet lailah, and provideth food to her bais, and a chok (portion) to her na’arot (servant girls).

¹⁶ She considereth a sadeh, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her palms she planteth a kerem (vineyard).

¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her zero’ot (arms).

¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is tov; her ner (light) goeth not out balailah.

¹⁹ She layeth her yadayim to the distaff, and her fingers lay hold of the spindle.

²⁰ She extends her palms to the oni; indeed, she reacheth forth her yadayim to the evyon (needy).

²¹ She is not afraid of the sheleg (snow) for her bais; for all her bais are clothed with scarlet.

²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her levush (clothing) is fine linen and purple.

²³ Her ba’al (husband) is known in the she’arim, when he sitteth among the ziknei eretz.

²⁴ She maketh fine garments, and selleth them; and delivereth sashes unto the kena’ani (merchant).

²⁵ Oz (strength) and hadar (dignity) are her clothing; and her smile is toward the yom acharon (coming day, future).

²⁶ She openeth her peh (mouth) with chochmah; and on her lashon is the torat chesed (teaching of kindness).

²⁷ She watcheth well over the halichot (goings, ways) of her bais (household), and eateth not the lechem atzlut (bread of idleness).

²⁸ Her banim rise up, and call her blessed; her ba’al (husband) also, and he praiseth her.

²⁹ Rabbot banot have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

³⁰ Chen (charm) is sheker (deceitful), and yofi (beauty) is fleeting; but an isha Yirat Hashem (a G-d fearing wife), she shall be praised.

³¹ Give her of the p’ri (fruit) of her yadayim; and let her own ma’asim praise her in the she’arim.

1 There was an ish in Eretz Uz, shmo Iyov; and that ish was blameless and yashar, and yire Elohim, and shunned evil.

² And there were born unto him seven banim and shalosh banot.

³ His possessions also were seven thousand tzon and three thousand gemalim, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-donkeys, and very many avadim; so that this ish was the greatest of kol bnei kedem.

⁴ And his banim went and held a mishteh in their bais, every one in his turn in his bais; and sent and called for their three achayot to eat and to drink with them.

⁵ And it was so, when the yamim of their mishteh were gone, that Iyov sent and set them apart as kodesh, and rose up early in the boker, and offered olot (burnt offerings) according to the mispar (number) of them all: for Iyov said, It may be that my banim have sinned, and cursed Elohim in their hearts. Thus did Iyov kol hayamim.

⁶ Now there was a yom when the Bnei HaElohim came to present themselves before Hashem, and Hasatan came also among them.

⁷ And Hashem said unto Hasatan, From where comest thou? Then Hasatan answered Hashem, and said, From roaming to and fro in ha’aretz, and from walking up and down in it.

⁸ And Hashem said unto Hasatan, Hast thou considered in thy heart avdi Iyov, that there is none like him in ha’aretz, a perfect and a yashar ish, yire Elohim, and shunneth evil?

⁹ Then Hasatan answered Hashem, and said, Is Iyov a yire Elohim (G-d fearer) for nothing?

¹⁰ Hast not Thou made a hedge [of protection] about him, and about his bais, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the ma’aseh (work) of his hands, and his possessions are increased in ha’aretz.

¹¹ But put forth Thine yad now, and strike all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to Thy face.

¹² And Hashem said unto Hasatan, Hinei, all that he hath is in thy yad; only upon himself put not forth thine yad. So Hasatan went out from the presence of Hashem.

¹³ And there was a yom when his banim and his banot were eating and drinking yayin in the bais achihem habechor (the house of their firstborn brother):

¹⁴ And there came a malach (messenger) unto Iyov, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys feeding beside them:

¹⁵ And the Sabeans attacked, and took them away; yea, they have slain the na’arim with the edge of the cherev; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

¹⁶ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The eish Elohim is fallen from Shomayim, and hath burned up the tzon, and the na’arim, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

¹⁷ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Kasdim (Chaldeans) formed shloshah rashim, and fell upon the gemalim and have carried them away, yea and slain the na’arim with the edge of the cherev; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

¹⁸ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy banim and thy banot were eating and drinking yayin in the bais achihem habechor;

¹⁹ And, hinei, there came a ruach gedolah from the midbar, and struck the arbah pinot (four corners) of the bais, and it fell upon the na’arim, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

²⁰ Then Iyov arose, and made the keri’ah on his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped,

²¹ And said, Arom came I out of beten immi, and arom shall I return there; Hashem gave, and Hashem hath taken away; yehi Shem Hashem mevorach.

²² In all this Iyov sinned not, nor natan tiflah leElohim (charged G-d with folly).

2 Again there was a day when the Bnei HaElohim came to present themselves before Hashem, and Hasatan came also among them to present himself before Hashem.

² And Hashem said unto Hasatan, From where comest thou? And Hasatan answered Hashem, and said, From going to and fro through ha’aretz, and from walking up and down in it.

³ And Hashem said unto Hasatan, Hast thou considered in your meditation Avdi (My Servant) Iyov, that there is none like him in ha’aretz, ish tam and yashar, yire Elohim, and shunning rah? And still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou inciteth Me against him, to ruin him for no reason.

⁴ And Hasatan answered Hashem, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that an ish hath will he give for his nefesh.

⁵ But stretch forth Thine yad now, and touch his etzem and his basar, and he will curse Thee to Thy face.

⁶ And Hashem said unto Hasatan, Hinei, he is in thine yad; but spare his nefesh.

⁷ So went Hasatan out from the presence of Hashem, and afflicted Iyov with shekhin rah (foul boils) from the sole of his regel unto the top of his head.

⁸ And he took him a cheres (potsherd, piece of broken pottery) to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

⁹ Then said his isha unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse Elohim, and die.

¹⁰ But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the nevalot (foolish women) speaketh. What? Shall we receive hatov from Elohim, and shall we not accept harah? In all this did not Iyov sin in what he said.

¹¹ Now when the three friends of Iyov heard of all this ra’ah that had come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temani, and Bildad the Shuchi, and Tzophar the Na’amati; for they had made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and to comfort him.

¹² And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and recognized him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they made the keri’ah every one on his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward Shomayim.

¹³ So they sat [shiva] with him upon the ground shivat yamim and shivat lailah, and none spoke a word unto him; for they saw that his suffering was very great.

3 After this opened Iyov his mouth, and cursed his yom.

² And Iyov spoke, and said,

³ Let the yom perish wherein I was born, and halailah in which it was said, There is a gever born.

⁴ Let that yom be choshech; let not Elohim regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.

⁵ Let choshech and the tzalmavet (shadow of death) claim it; let an anan dwell upon it; let the blackness of the yom terrify it.

⁶ As for that lailah, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the yamim of the shanah, let it not come into the number of the months.

⁷ Hinei, let that lailah be barren; let no joyful shout come therein.

⁸ Let them curse it that curse the yam, who are ready to rouse Leviathan.

⁹ Let the kokhavim of the dawn thereof be dark; let it look for ohr, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the shachar,

¹⁰ Because it shut not up the dalatot of my mother’s womb, nor hid amal (tzoros) from mine eyes.

¹¹ Why did I not come to mot at birth? Why did I not perish when I came out of the beten (belly, womb)?

¹² Madua (why) were there birkayim to receive me? Or why the shadayim that from them I should nurse?

¹³ For atah (now) I would be lying still and quiet, have slept and been at rest,

¹⁴ With melachim and yo’atzim of ha’aretz, which build ruins for themselves;

¹⁵ Or with sarim (princes) that had zahav, who filled their batim (houses) with kesef;

¹⁶ Or as a hidden stillborn—I had not been!—as olelim which never saw ohr.

¹⁷ There the resha’im cease from troubling; and there the weary are at rest.

¹⁸ There the asirim (prisoners, captives) rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.

¹⁹ The katon and gadol are there; and the eved is free from his adon.

²⁰ Why is ohr given to him that is in misery, and chayyim unto the bitter in nefesh;

²¹ Which long for mavet, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures;

²² Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the kever?

²³ Why is ohr given to a gever whose derech is hidden, and whom Elohim hath hedged in?

²⁴ For my sighing cometh instead of lechem, and my groanings are poured out like the mayim.

²⁵ For the pachad (terror) which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I dreaded is come unto me.

²⁶ I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; and rogez (tzoros, turmoil) came.

4 Then Eliphaz the Temani answered and said,

² If we attempt a davar with thee, wilt thou be offended? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

³ Hinei, thou hast instructed rabbim (many), and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

⁴ Thy words have upheld him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble birkayim (knees).

⁵ But atah (now) it is come upon thee, and thou art impatient; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

⁶ Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy tikveh, and the blamelessness of thy ways?

⁷ Consider now, who ever perished, being naki (innocent)? Or where were the yesharim (upright ones) cut off?

⁸ Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow amal (trouble), reap the same.

⁹ By the neshamah (breath) of Eloah they perish, and by the ruach of His nostrils are they consumed.

¹⁰ The roaring of the aryeh, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.

¹¹ The old lion perisheth for lack of teref (prey), and the stout lion’s cubs are scattered.

¹² Now a davar was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.

¹³ In thoughts from the chezyonot lailah, when tardemah (deep sleep) falleth on anashim,

¹⁴ Pachad came upon me, and trembling, which made all my atzmot to shake.

¹⁵ Then a ruach passed before my face; the hair of my basar stood up;

¹⁶ It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof; a temunah (form) was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,

¹⁷ Shall enosh (mortal man) be more righteous than Eloah? Shall a man be more tahor than his Maker?

¹⁸ Behold, He puts no trust in His avadim, and His malachim (angels) He charged with toholah (error).

¹⁹ How much more them that dwell in batim (houses) of clay, whose yesod (foundation, origin) is in the dust, which are crushed like the moth?

²⁰ They are destroyed from boker to erev; they perish forever without any regarding it.

²¹ Is not the cord of their tent which is in them pulled up? They die, even without chochmah (wisdom).

5 Call now, if there be any that will answer thee, and to which of the kadoshim (holy ones) wilt thou turn?

² For ka’as (anger) killeth the foolish man, and kinah (envy) slayeth the simple one.

³ I have seen the fool taking shoresh (root), but suddenly I cursed his habitation.

⁴ His banim are far from yesha (safety, salvation), and they are crushed in the sha’ar (gate, before the public), neither is there any to deliver them.

⁵ Whose katzir (harvest) the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even from among of the tzinnim (thorns), and the intriguer pants after their wealth.

⁶ Although affliction springeth not forth of the aphar (dust), neither doth amal (trouble, tzoros) sprout out of the adamah;

⁷ Yet adam is born unto amal (trouble, tzoros), even as sparks fly upward.

⁸ I would seek El (G-d), and before Elohim would I lay my cause;

⁹ Who doeth gedolot unsearchable, marvellous things without mispar;

¹⁰ Who giveth matar upon eretz, and sendeth mayim upon the fields;

¹¹ To set up on high those that be the shefalim (the lowly ones); that those which mourn may be exalted to safety,

¹² Thwarting the machshevot of the arumim (crafty ones), so that their hands cannot accomplish tushiyyah (success).

¹³ He taketh the chachamim in their own arum (craftiness), and the etzah of the wily is swiftly swept away.

¹⁴ They meet with choshech in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the lailah,

¹⁵ But He saveth the needy from the cherev of their mouth, and from the yad chazak.

¹⁶ So the poor hath tikveh, and olatah (perversity, wickedness) stoppeth her mouth.

¹⁷ Hinei, ashrei is the enosh whom Eloah correcteth; therefore despise not thou the musar (chastening) of Shaddai;

¹⁸ For He woundeth, and bindeth up; He injureth, and His yadayim (hands) heal.

¹⁹ He shall deliver thee in shesh tzoros; yea, in shivah there shall no rah touch thee.

²⁰ In ra’av (famine) He shall redeem thee from mavet; and in milchamah from the power of the cherev.

²¹ Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the leshon, neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

²² At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh; neither shalt thou be afraid of the chayyat ha’aretz.

²³ For thou shalt be in league with the avanim of the sadeh, and the chayyat sadeh shall be hashelemah (at peace) with thee.

²⁴ And thou shalt know that shalom shall be thy ohel; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and find nothing wanting.

²⁵ Thou shalt know also that thy zera shall be rav, and thine offspring as the esev ha’aretz.

²⁶ Thou shalt come to thy kever in a ripe age, like a shock of grain cometh in its season.

²⁷ Hinei zot, this we have searched out, so it is; hear it, and apply thou it for thy good.

6 But Iyov answered and said,

² Oh that my ka’as (vexation) were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the scales together!

³ For now it would be heavier than the chol of the seas; therefore my words are impetuous.

⁴ For the khitzim (arrows) of Shaddai are in me, the poison whereof drinketh my ruach; the terrors of Eloah do set themselves in array against me.

⁵ Doth the pereh (wild donkey) bray when he hath desheh? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

⁶ Can that which is tasteless be eaten without melach? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

⁷ The things that my nefesh refused to touch are like my loathsome lechem.

⁸ Who will grant that I might have my she’elah (request); oh that Eloah would grant me my tikveh!

⁹ Even that it would please Eloah to crush me; that He would let loose His yad, and cut me off!

¹⁰ Then should I yet have nechamah (consolation); yea, I would exult in chilah (pain); let him not spare; for I have not concealed the imrei Kadosh (words of the Holy One).

¹¹ What is my koach, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should make patient my nefesh?

¹² Is my koach the koach of avanim? Or is my basar bronze?

¹³ Is it that my help is not within me? And is tushiyyah (success) driven from me?

¹⁴ To him that is afflicted, chesed should be shown from his friend; otherwise, he forsaketh the fear of Shaddai.

¹⁵ Achai (my brethren) have dealt deceitfully as a wadi, and as the torrents of wadis they vanish away;

¹⁶ Which are blackish muddy by reason of the kerakh (ice), and wherein the sheleg (snow) is melted.

¹⁷ What season they become warm, they vanish; when it is hot, they disappear from their makom.

¹⁸ The paths of their derech wind about; they go up to tohu [Gn 1:2], and perish.

¹⁹ The caravans of Tema looked for them; the halichot (traveling companies) of Sheva hoped for them.

²⁰ They were disappointed because of their bitachon; they come there and are confounded.

²¹ For now ye are become such; ye see my chatat (casting down), and are afraid.

²² Did I say, Bring unto me? Or, Give a present for me of your ko’ach (power, wealth)?

²³ Or, Deliver me from the yad tzar (hand of the enemy, oppressor)? Or, Redeem me with a ransom from the yad of the tyrants?

²⁴ Teach me, and I will hold my tongue, and cause me to have binah wherein I have erred.

²⁵ How forcible are the imrei yosher (words of rectitude)! But what doth your hokhiach (reproof) reprove?

²⁶ Do ye think to reprove words? The words of one in despair, which are as ruach?

²⁷ Yea, ye cast lots for the yatom, and over your friend ye barter.

²⁸ Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for it is evident unto you if in me there is kazav (falsity).

²⁹ Turn, now, let there be no iniquity; yea, turn again; at issue is my tzedek (righteousness).

³⁰ Is there iniquity on my leshon? Cannot my palate discern havvot (perverse things)?

7 Is there not a tzava (forced hard service in the army) to enosh (man) upon earth? Are not his days also like the yamim of a sachir (hired laborer)?

² As an eved earnestly longeth for tzel (shade), and as a sachir waiteth for the wage of his work,

³ So am I made to possess months of shav (vanity, futility), and lailot amal (nights of weariness) are appointed to me.

⁴ When I lie down, I say, Mosai (how long) till I arise? But the erev drags on, and I am full of tossings to and fro unto dawn.

⁵ My basar is clothed with worm and clod of aphar; my ohr (skin) is broken, and become loathsome.

⁶ My yamim are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without tikveh.

⁷ O remember that my life is ruach (wind); mine eye shall no more see tov.

⁸ The ayin (eye) of him that hath seen me shall see me no longer; thine eyes are upon me, and I am no more.

⁹ Like the anan that fades and vanisheth away, so he that goeth down to Sheol shall come up no more.

¹⁰ He shall return no more to his bais, neither shall his makom know him any more.

¹¹ Therefore I will not curb my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my ruach; I will complain in the mar (bitterness) of my nefesh.

¹² Am I a yam, or a tannin (monster of the yam [sea]), that Thou settest a mishmar (guard watch) over me?

¹³ When I say, My bed shall give me nachamah (comfort), my couch shall ease my complaint,

¹⁴ Then Thou frightenest me with chalomot (dreams), and terrifiest me through chezyonot (visions),

¹⁵ So that my nefesh chooseth machanak (strangling) and mavet (death) rather than this skeleton.

¹⁶ I loathe it; I would not live l’olam, let me alone; for my yamim are hevel (vanity, meaningless).

¹⁷ What is enosh (man), that Thou shouldest make much of him? And that Thou shouldest set Thine lev upon him?

¹⁸ And that Thou shouldest visit him every boker, and try him every moment?

¹⁹ How long dost Thou not look away from me? Nor let me alone till I swallow down my rok (spittle)?

²⁰ Chatati (I have sinned); what shall I do unto Thee, O Thou Notzer HaAdam (Observer of men)? Why hast Thou set me as a mifgah (mark, target, something to be hit) to Thee, so that I am a massa (burden) to Thee?

²¹ And why dost Thou not pardon my peysha (transgression), and take away my avon (iniquity)? For now shall I sleep in the aphar; and Thou shalt search for me, but I shall be no more.

8 Then answered Bildad the Shuchi, and said,

² How long wilt thou speak these things? And how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a raging ruach (wind)?

³ Doth El pervert mishpat (justice)? Or doth Shaddai pervert tzedek?

⁴ If thy banim have sinned against Him, and He have cast them away for their peysha (transgression);

⁵ If thou wouldest seek El (G-d) earnestly, and make thy techinnah (supplication) to Shaddai;

⁶ If thou wert pure and yashar; surely now He would rouse Himself for thee, and restore the habitation of thy tzedek.

⁷ Though thy reshit (beginning) was small, yet thy acharit (end) shall be exceedingly great.

⁸ For inquire, now, of the dor rishon (former age), and consider the research of their avot;

⁹ —For we are but of temol (yesterday, etmol) and know nothing, because yameinu (our days) upon earth are a tzel (shadow)—

¹⁰ Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and bring forth words out of their lev?

¹¹ Can the papyrus grow up without marsh? Can the reed grow without mayim?

¹² Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before kol khatzir (all grass).

¹³ So are the paths of all that forget El (G-d), and the tikvat chanef (hope of the hypocrite, the irreligious, the secretly wicked profane person) shall perish,

¹⁴ Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose reliance shall be a bais akavish (spider’s web).

¹⁵ He shall lean upon his bais, but it shall not stand, he shall cling to it, but it shall not hold.

¹⁶ He is like a green plant before the shemesh, and its branch shooteth forth in its gan (garden).

¹⁷ Its shorashim (roots) are wrapped about the rock heap, and it looks on the bais avanim (place of stones).

¹⁸ But when cast away from its makom, then its place shall deny it, saying, Loh re’iticha (I never saw thee).

¹⁹ Behold, thus was the joy of its derech, and others spring forth from the aphar (dust).

²⁰ Surely El (G-d) will not cast away a blameless man, neither will He help the resha’im (evil-doers);

²¹ Till He fill thy mouth with sechok (laughter), and thy lips with teruah (shouts of joy).

²² They that hate thee shall be clothed with bushah (shame), and the ohel resha’im shall be no more.

9 Then Iyov answered and said,

² I know it is indeed thus, but how should yitzdak Enosh im El (Man be in the right, justified, before G-d)?

³ If he will contend with Him, once of a thousand can Man not answer G-d back.

⁴ G-d is chochom in lev, and mighty in ko’ach; who hath hardened himself to defy Him and remained unhurt?

⁵ Which removeth the harim (mountains), and they know not; which overturneth them in His anger;

⁶ Which shaketh eretz out of its place, and the ammudim thereof tremble;

⁷ Which commandeth the cheres (sun), and it riseth not; and sealeth up the kokhavim;

⁸ Which spreadeth out Shomayim by Himself alone, and treadeth upon the waves of the yam;

⁹ Which maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the constellations on the south side of the heavens;

¹⁰ Which doeth gedolot past finding out; yea, and nifla’ot (wonders) without number.

¹¹ Hen (lo), He passeth by me, and I see Him not; He goeth on also, but I perceive Him not.

¹² Hinei, He taketh away, who can stop Him? Who will say unto Him, Mah ta’aseh (what are You doing)?

¹³ If Eloah restraineth not His anger, the helpers of Rahab must bow themselves under Him.

¹⁴ How much less shall I dispute with Him, and choose my dvarim with Him?

¹⁵ Whom, though I were tzaddik (righteous, innocent, in the right), yet would I not answer, but I would make techinnah (supplication, plea for mercy) for my mishpat (right).

¹⁶ If I had summoned, and He had responded to me, yet would I not believe that He had paid heed unto my kol (voice);

¹⁷ For He breaketh me in a sa’arah (tempest, storm), and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

¹⁸ He will not allow me to take my ruach (breath), but filleth me with bitterness.

¹⁹ If I speak of ko’ach, hinei, He is mighty, and if of mishpat, who can give Him a court summons?

²⁰ If etzdak (I am justified, in the right), mine own mouth would condemn me; if I say, I am blameless, He would prove me perverse.

²¹ Though I were blameless, yet would I not know my nefesh; I would despise my life.

²² This is one thing; therefore I said it, He destroyeth the tam (blameless) and the rasha (wicked).

²³ If the shot (scourge) slay suddenly, He laugheth at the melting away [in anguish] of the nekiyim (innocent ones, the guiltless ones).

²⁴ Eretz is given into the yad of the resha; He blindfoldeth the faces of the shofetim (judges) thereof; if not, then, who doeth it?

²⁵ Now my yamim are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no tovah.

²⁶ They slip by like oniyyot (boats) of reed; as the nesher that swoopeth down on the prey.

²⁷ If I say, I will forget my si’akh (complaint), I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself,

²⁸ I am afraid of all my sorrows; I have da’as that Thou wilt not hold me innocent.

²⁹ If I be wicked, why then labor I in hevel (vain)?

³⁰ If I wash myself with sheleg (snow), and make my hands clean with lye,

³¹ Yet shalt Thou plunge me in the shachat (slime pit), and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

³² For He is not an ish, as I am, that I should answer Him, and we should come together in mishpat (in the court).

³³ Neither is there any mochiach (arbitrator) between us, that might lay his yad upon us both.

³⁴ Let Him take His shevet (rod) away from me, and let not His fear terrify me.

³⁵ Then would I speak, and not fear Him; but it is not ken (so) with me.

10 My nefesh is sick of my life; I will give free rein to my si’akh (complaint); I will speak in the mar (bitterness) of my nefesh.

² I will say unto Eloah, Do not condemn me; show me what charge Thou dost contend with me.

³ Is it hatov (pleasing) unto Thee that Thou shouldest oppress, that Thou shouldest reject the work of Thine hands, and shine [favor] upon the etzah (scheme) of the resha’im?

⁴ Hast Thou eyes of basar? Or seest Thou as enosh seeth?

⁵ Are Thy yamim like the yamim of enosh? Are Thy years like the days of gever (man),

⁶ That Thou seekest after mine avon, and searchest after my chattat?

⁷ Though Thou has da’as that I am not a resha, and there is none that can deliver out of Thine yad,

⁸ Thine yadayim have formed me and altogether round about have fashioned me; yet Thou hast now swallowed me.

⁹ Remember, now, that Thou hast molded me like the chomer (clay), and wilt Thou turn me into aphar again?

¹⁰ Hast Thou not poured me out like cholov, and curdled me like gvinah (cheese)?

¹¹ Thou hast clothed me with ohr and basar, and hast knitted me together with atzmot and sinews.

¹² Thou hast granted me chayyim and chesed, and Thy visitation hath been shomer over my ruach.

¹³ And these things hast Thou hid in Thine lev; I have da’as that this was in Thy mind.

¹⁴ If I sin, then Thou art shomer over me, and Thou wilt not let my avon go unpunished.

¹⁵ If I am guilty, woe unto me; even if I be tzaddik (innocent), yet will I not lift up my head, being full of kalon (shame) and conscious of my oni (misery),

¹⁶ For if my head is held high, Thou stalkest me like a fierce lion, and ever Thou displayest Thy awesome power against me.

¹⁷ Thou bringest Thy fresh edim (witnesses) against me, and increasest Thine hot indignation toward me; in waves Thy tzava troop against me.

¹⁸ Why then hast Thou brought me forth out of the rechem (womb)? Oh that I had expired, and no eye had seen me!

¹⁹ I should have been as though I had never been; I should have been carried from the beten straight to the kever.

²⁰ Are not my yamim few? Then cease, and let me alone, that I may take a little cheer

²¹ Before I go from where I shall not return, even to the Eretz Choshech V’Tzalmavet,

²² An eretz of darkness, like darkness itself; and of tzalmavet, no sedarim (order), where the light is like darkness.

11 Then answered Tzophar the Na’amati, and said,

² Should not the multitude of dvarim be answered? And should an ish full of talk yitzdak (be justified)?

³ Should thy vain talk silence men, so that thou mockest, v’ein machlim (without anyone putting thee to shame)?

⁴ For thou hast said, My lekach (doctrine, teaching, belief) is pure, and I am clean in Thine eyes.

⁵ But oh that Eloah would speak, and open His lips against thee,

⁶ And that He would show thee the secrets of chochmah, that tushiyyah (true wisdom) has two sides! Have da’as therefore that Eloah forgetteth much of thy avon.

⁷ Canst thou search out the cheker Eloah (depths of G-d)? Canst thou probe to the tachlis Shaddai (the end, completeness of Almighty)?

⁸ It is like the heights of Shomayim; what canst thou do? Deeper than Sheol; of what canst thou have da’as?

⁹ The measure thereof is longer than ha’aretz, and broader than the yam (sea).

¹⁰ When Eloah passes by and arrests and convenes for judgment, who then can constrain Him?

¹¹ For He has da’as of deceitful men; He seeth wickedness also; will He not then take note of it?

¹² But before a witless ish can become wise, a colt of a pereh (wild donkey) would be born an adam!

¹³ If thou direct thine lev, and stretch out thine hands to Him,

¹⁴ If iniquity be in thine yad, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy ohalim.

¹⁵ For then shalt thou lift up thy face without mum; yea, thou shalt be firm, and shalt not fear,

¹⁶ Because thou shalt forget thy amal (grief), and remember it as waters that flow by,

¹⁷ And thine cheled (duration of life) shall be brighter than the tzohorayim (noonday); thou shalt shine forth; thou shalt be as the boker.

¹⁸ And thou shalt be secure, because now there is tikveh; yea, thou shalt search, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

¹⁹ Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, rabbim (many) shall court thy favor.

²⁰ But the eyes of the resha’im faileth, and they shall not escape, and their tikveh shall be as the last gasp of the nefesh.

12 And Iyov answered and said,

² Doubtless then ye are the people, and chochmah shall die with you.

³ But I have levav (understanding) as well as you; I am not inferior to you; yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

⁴ I am as a laughingstock to his neighbor: The man who calleth upon Eloah [they say of me], and He answereth him! [To them I am] a laughingstock, the tzaddik, the tamim (blameless one)!

⁵ Those at ease have buz (contempt) for a downfall which awaits the one whose regel is slipping.

⁶ The ohalim of shodedim (robbers) remain in peace; they that defy El are secure, who Eloah brought forth by His yad.

⁷ But ask now the behemot, and they shall teach thee, and the oph haShomayim (birds of the air), and they shall tell thee;

⁸ Or speak to ha’aretz, and it shall teach thee; and the dagim of the yam shall declare unto thee.

⁹ Of all of these, who lacketh da’as that the yad Hashem hath wrought this?

¹⁰ In whose yad is the nefesh of every living thing, and the ruach of kol basar ish.

¹¹ Doth not the ozen (ear) test words? And the mouth tastes its ochel?

¹² With the ancient ones is chochmah; and in orech yamim (length of days) is binah (understanding).

¹³ With Him is chochmah and gevurah; He hath etzah and understanding.

¹⁴ See, what He tears down cannot be reconstructed; He shutteth up an ish, and there can be no prison release.

¹⁵ See, He withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; also He sendeth them out, and they overturn eretz.

¹⁶ With Him is oz (strength) and tushiyyah (true wisdom); the deceived and the deceiver are His.

¹⁷ He leadeth yoatzim (counsellors) away stripped, and maketh the shofetim (judges) fools.

¹⁸ He looseth the shackle of melachim (kings), and girdeth their loins with loincloth.

¹⁹ He leadeth kohanim away stripped, and overthroweth the mighty.

²⁰ He removeth the speech of the ne’emanim (trusted ones), and taketh away the understanding of the zekenim.

²¹ He poureth buz (contempt) upon nobles, and loosens the belt of the mighty.

²² He uncovers the depths of choshech, and bringeth tzalmavet to light.

²³ He giveth prosperity to the Goyim, and then destroyeth them; He enlargeth them, and then carrieth the Goyim away.

²⁴ He taketh away the lev (understanding) of the Rashei Am HaAretz, and sendeth them to tohu lo derech (trackless wilderness).

²⁵ They grope in the choshech without ohr, and He maketh them to stagger like a shikkor (drunken man).

13 See, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ozen hath heard and understood it.

² What ye know, of the same I have da’as also; I am not inferior unto you.

³ Surely I would speak to Shaddai, and I desire to reason with El (G-d).

⁴ But ye are forgers of sheker, ye are all rofim (physicians) of no value.

⁵ O that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it should be your chochmah.

⁶ Hear now my tokhachat (protest, public argumentation), and pay heed to the pleadings of my lips.

⁷ Will ye talk wickedly on behalf of El (G-d) and speak deceitfully for Him?

⁸ Will ye be partial to Him? Will ye play the part of the defense attorney for El?

⁹ Is it hatov that He should search you out? Or do you play the jester with Him, as one plays the jester with enosh?

¹⁰ He will surely reprove you, if ye do act with partiality beseter (secretly).

¹¹ Shall not His majesty make you afraid? And the pachad of Him fall upon you?

¹² Your zichron meshalim (memorable sayings) are like unto ashes, your defenses are strongholds of chomer (clay).

¹³ Hold your peace, let me alone, that Ani (I) may speak, and let come on me what will.

¹⁴ Why do I take my basar in my teeth, and take my nefesh in mine yad?

¹⁵ Though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust in Him; but I will maintain my derech before Him.

¹⁶ He also shall be my Yeshuah (salvation); for a chanef (irreligious man, hypocrite) shall not come before Him.

¹⁷ Hear diligently my confession, and my declaration with your oznayim.

¹⁸ Hinei now, I have prepared my mishpat (cause, case); I know that I shall be acquitted.

¹⁹ Who is he that can contend against me? For atah (now), if I hold my tongue, I shall expire.

²⁰ Only do not shtayim (two things) unto me; then will I not hide myself from Thee.

²¹ Withdraw Thine hand far from me, and let not Thy eimah (dread, terror) make me afraid.

²² Then kerah (summon), and I will answer; or let me speak, and answer me.

²³ How many are mine avonot and chatta’ot? Make me to know my peysha and my chattat.

²⁴ Lammah (why) hidest Thou Thy face, and holdest me for Thine enemy?

²⁵ Wilt Thou frighten away a leaf driven to and fro? And wilt Thou pursue the dry kash (straw, chaff)?

²⁶ For Thou writest down merorot (bitter things) against me, and makest me to inherit the avonot of my neurim (youth).

²⁷ Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and observest kol orkhot (paths, ways) of me; Thou settest a mark upon the soles of my raglayim,

²⁸ Around one who wastes away as a rotten thing, as a beged (garment) that is moth eaten.

14 Adam that is born of isha is of few yamim and full of rogez (unrest).

² He cometh forth like a tzitz (flower), and is cut down; he fleeth also as a tzel, and continueth not.

³ And doth Thou open Thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into mishpat with Thee?

⁴ Who can bring a tahor (clean thing) out of a tameh (an unclean, cf Ro 5:12)? Loh echad (No one).

⁵ Seeing his yamim are determined, the number of his chodashim (months) are with Thee, Thou hast appointed his limits that he cannot exceed.

⁶ Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as a sachir (a hired man), his day.

⁷ For there is tikveh of an etz, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

⁸ Though the shoresh (root) thereof grow old in ha’aretz, and the stump thereof die in the aphar (dust),

⁹ Yet through the scent of mayim it will bud, and bring forth branches like a young plant.

¹⁰ But gever dieth, and wasteth away; yea, adam breathes his last, and where is he?

¹¹ As the mayim flow away from the yam, and the nahar (stream) becomes parched and drieth up,

¹² So ish lieth down, and riseth not, till Shomayim be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

¹³ O that Thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, that Thou wouldest conceal me until Thy wrath has passed, that Thou wouldest appoint me a chok (set time), and remember me!

¹⁴ If a gever die, shall he live again? All the days of my tzava (hard army service) will I wait, till my chalifah (changing, renewal) come.

¹⁵ Thou shalt call, and I will answer Thee; Thou wilt have a desire for the ma’aseh (work) of Thine hands.

¹⁶ For now Thou countest my steps. Dost Thou not watch over my chattat?

¹⁷ My peysha is sealed up in a bag, and Thou would cover over mine avon.

¹⁸ And surely the har (mountain) falling crumbles, and the tzur (rock) is moved out of its place.

¹⁹ The mayim wear away the avanim; Thou washest away the things which grow out of the aphar aretz; and Thou destroyest the tikvat enosh.

²⁰ Thou prevailest lanetzach (forever) against him, and he passeth away; Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.

²¹ His banim come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.

²² Only his basar shall have pain upon him, and his nefesh within him shall mourn.

15 Then answered Eliphaz the Temani, and said,

² Should a chacham (wise man) utter vain knowledge, and fill his inner being with the east wind?

³ Should he reason with unprofitable davar (talk)? Or with speeches wherewith no good is done?

⁴ Yea, thou makest void yireh [Elohim], and doth diminish si’akh (meditation) before El.

⁵ For thy mouth uttereth thine avon, and thou choosest the leshon arumim (tongue of the crafty).

⁶ Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and loh Ani (not I); yea, thine own lips testify against thee.

⁷ Art thou harishon adam (the first man) that was born? Or wast thou made before the hills?

⁸ Hast thou attended to the sod Eloah (counsel of G-d)? And dost thou limit chochmah to thyself?

⁹ Of what dost thou have da’as, that we know not? What understandest thou, which is not in us?

¹⁰ Both the grayheaded and very aged men are among us, much elder than avicha.

¹¹ Are the tanechumot El (consolations of G-d) not enough for thee? Or the davar that deals gently with thee?

¹² Why doth thine lev carry thee away? And why do thy eyes flash,

¹³ That thou ventest thy ruach against El (G-d), and lettest such words pour out of thy mouth?

¹⁴ What is enosh, that he should be pure [in the sight of Hashem]? And he which is born of an isha, that yitzdak (he should be in the right)?

¹⁵ If He trusteth not His Kadoshim; yea, Shomayim is not pure in His eyes.

¹⁶ How much more vile and corrupt is ish, which drinketh iniquity like mayim?

¹⁷ I will show thee, shema to me; and that which I have seen I will declare;

¹⁸ Things which chachamim declare from their avot without concealment;

¹⁹ Unto whom alone ha’aretz was given, and no zar passed among them.

²⁰ The reshah travaileth with pain all his yamim, and numbered shanim are reserved for the oppressor.

²¹ A dreadful sound is in his oznayim; during shalom the shoded (destroyer) shall come upon him.

²² He believeth not in a return from choshech, and he is marked for the cherev.

²³ He wandereth about after lechem, saying, Where is it? He has da’as the Yom Choshech is near at hand for him.

²⁴ Distress and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall seize him as a melech poised for battle.

²⁵ For he stretcheth out his yad against El (G-d), and with insolence vaunts himself against Shaddai.

²⁶ He charges against Him, with a stiff neck, with the thick bosses of his mogen (shield);

²⁷ Though he covereth his panim with his fatness, and addeth fat on his flanks;

²⁸ And he dwelleth in desolate towns, and in batim (houses) which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to crumble to rubble.

²⁹ He shall not be osher, neither shall his substance continue; neither shall their possessions spread over ha’aretz.

³⁰ He shall not escape from choshech; the flame shall wither his branches, and in the ruach of his mouth shall he perish.

³¹ Let not him that is deceived trust in shav (vanity); for shav shall be his recompense.

³² His Yom is not yet; then it is accomplished, and his branch shall not flourish.

³³ He shall shake off his unripe grape like the gefen, and shall cast off his blossom like the zayit (olive tree).

³⁴ For the Adat Chanef (congregation of hypocrites) shall be barren, and eish shall consume the ohalim of bribery.

³⁵ They conceive amal (trouble), and give birth to evil, and their belly worketh mirmar (deceit).

16 Then Iyov answered and said,

² I have heard many such things; menachamei amal (miserable comforters) are ye all.

³ Shall divrei ruach (vain words) have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?

⁴ I also could speak as ye do; if your nefesh were in place of my nefesh, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

⁵ But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my shfatayim (lips) should relieve your grief.

⁶ Though I speak, my grief is not relieved, and though I forbear, mah (what) alleviation is it for me?

⁷ But now He hath worn me out; Thou hast made desolate kol adat (whole household) of me.

⁸ And Thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is an ed (witness) against me; and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.

⁹ He teareth me in his wrath, who warreth against me; He gnasheth upon me with His shinayim (teeth); mine adversary sharpeneth His eyes against me.

¹⁰ They have struck at me with their mouth; they have struck me upon the lekhi (cheek) reproachfully; [Isa 50:6; Lam 3:30] they have conspired themselves together against me.

¹¹ El hath delivered me to evil men, and turned me over into the hands of the resha’im.

¹² I was at ease, but He hath shattered me; He hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for His mattarah (object of attack, target).

¹³ His archers surround me, He pierces my klayot (kidneys), and doth not show mercy; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.

¹⁴ He bursteth upon me again and again; He runneth upon me like a gibbor (warrior).

¹⁵ I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and laid my keren (horn, strength) in the aphar (dust).

¹⁶ My face is red with weeping, and on my eyelids is the tzalmavet;

¹⁷ Not for any chamas in mine hands; also my tefillah is pure.

¹⁸ O earth, cover not thou my dahm, and let my outcry have no makom (place of rest).

¹⁹ Also now, hinei, my Ed is in Shomayim, and my Sahed (witness, one who vouches for me) is on high [MJ 4:15].

²⁰ My friends scorn me; but mine eye poureth out tears unto Eloah.

²¹ O that one might plead for a man with Eloah, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!

²² When a few shanot are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

17 My ruach is broken, my yamim are extinct, the kevarim are ready for me.

² Does not hatulim (mockery) surround me? And doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

³ Lay down an eravon (pledge) with Thee; who is he that will put up security for me?

⁴ For Thou hast hid their lev from seichel; therefore shalt Thou not exalt them.

⁵ He that informs on re’im for chelek, even the eyes of his banim shall fail.

⁶ He hath made me also a mashal (byword) of the peoples; and I am one in whose face they spit.

⁷ Mine eye also is dim by reason of ka’as, and all my members are like a tzel (shadow).

⁸ Yesharim shall be appalled at this and the naki (pure, innocent) shall stir up himself against the chanef (profane, irreligious).

⁹ The tzaddik also shall hold to his derech, and he whose yadayim are tahor shall grow stronger and stronger.

¹⁰ But as for all you, do ye return, and come back now; for I cannot find one chacham among you.

¹¹ My yamim are past, my plans are broken, even the morashot (possessions, desires) of my lev.

¹² They change the lailah into yom; the ohr is near to choshech, say they.

¹³ If I wait, Sheol is mine bais; I have made my bed in the choshech.

¹⁴ I have said to Shachat, thou art avi; to the worm, thou art immi, and achoti.

¹⁵ And where is now my tikveh? As for my tikveh, who regards it?

¹⁶ Will it go down to the gates of Sheol? Shall we go down together into the dust?

18 Then answered Bildad the Shuchi, and said,

² Ad anah (Until when, how long) will it be ere ye make an end of words? Gain binah, and afterwards we will speak.

³ Why are we counted as behemah (cattle), and reputed stupid in your sight?

⁴ Thou art he who teareth his nefesh in his anger; shall eretz (earth) be forsaken for thee? And shall the tzur be removed out of its place?

⁵ Yea, the ohr of the resha’im shall be put out, and the flame of his eish shall not burn.

⁶ The ohr shall be choshech in his ohel, and his ner (lamp) above him is extinguished.

⁷ The steps of his vigor shall be shortened, and his own etzah (counsel, scheme) shall cast him down.

⁸ For he is cast into a reshet by his own raglayim, and he walketh into a pitfall.

⁹ The pach (trap) shall take him by the akev (heel), and the snare shall prevail against him.

¹⁰ The noose is laid for him ba’aretz (on the ground), and a trap for him in the path.

¹¹ Ballahot (terrors, terrible thoughts) shall make him afraid on every side, and shall dog him behind his feet.

¹² Calamity is ra’ev (hungry) for him, and destruction shall be ready for his fall.

¹³ It shall devour the limbs of his ohr (skin); even the bechor mavet (plague) shall devour his members.

¹⁴ That in which he trusted is rooted out of his ohel, and it shall march him to Melech Ballahot (King of Terrors).

¹⁵ In his ohel nothing dwells; gofrit (brimstone) is scattered upon his habitation.

¹⁶ His shorashim shall be dried up beneath, and above his branch shall wither.

¹⁷ His memory shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no shem in the land.

¹⁸ He shall be driven from ohr into choshech, and chased out of the tevel.

¹⁹ He shall neither have offspring nor descendent among his am (people), nor is there a sarid in his dwellings.

²⁰ The acharonim shall be astonished at his yom, as the kadmonim were affrighted.

²¹ Surely such are the mishkenot (dwellings) of the resha’im, and this is the place of him that has no da’as of El.

19 Then Iyov answered and said,

² How long will ye torment my nefesh, and crush me with words?

³ These ten times have ye reproached me; ye have no bushah that ye cause me astonishment.

⁴ And be it indeed that I have erred, mine meshugah (error) remaineth with myself.

⁵ If indeed ye will magnify yourselves above me, and use against me my cherpah (reproach, humiliation),

⁶ Have da’as now that Eloah hath put me in the wrong, and hath encompassed me with his matzud (net).

⁷ Behold, when I cry chamas, I am not heard; I cry for help, but there is no mishpat.

⁸ He hath fenced around my way that I cannot pass, and set choshech in my paths.

⁹ He hath stripped me of my kavod, and taken the ateret from my rosh.

¹⁰ He breaks me down on every side till I am gone, and mine tikveh hath He uprooted like an etz.

¹¹ He hath also kindled His wrath against me, and He counteth me unto Him as His tzar (enemy).

¹² His forces come together, and raise up their seige ramp against me, and encamp around my ohel.

¹³ He hath put achai (my brethren) far from me, and mine acquaintances are verily estranged from me.

¹⁴ My kerov (near and dear) have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

¹⁵ They that dwell in mine bais, and my maidservants, count me for a zar; I am a nokhri in their sight.

¹⁶ I summoned avdi, and he gave me no answer; I entreated him with my mouth.

¹⁷ My ruach is repulsive to my isha, loathsome to bnei beten of mine.

¹⁸ Even avilim (little children) treat me with contempt; I appear, and they ridicule me.

¹⁹ All my metei sod (confidants) detest me, and they whom I loved are turned against me.

²⁰ My etzem cleaveth to my ohr (skin) and to my basar, and I am escaped only by the skin of my teeth.

²¹ Chanuni, chanuni, O ye my friends; for the yad Eloah hath touched me.

²² Why do ye persecute me like El, not satisfied with my basar?

²³ Oh that my words were but written! O that they were recorded in a sefer!

²⁴ That they were engraved with a pen of barzel and with oferet (lead) in the tzur forever!

²⁵ For Ani yadati Goeli chai (I know that my Redeemer liveth), and that he shall stand up at Acharon (at the Last) upon aphar (dust, the earth);

²⁶ And though after my ohr (skin) has been thus destroyed, yet from my basar I shall see Eloah;

²⁷ Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold and no other; my heart faints within me.

²⁸ But ye think, How we will persecute him, seeing the shoresh (root) of the matter is found in me?

²⁹ Be ye afraid of the cherev; for wrath bringeth the avonot (punishments) of the cherev, that ye may know there is a judgment.

20 Then answered Tzophar the Na’amati, and said,

² Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and ba’avur (because of [this]) I make haste.

³ I hear the musar that insults me, and the ruach of my understanding causeth me to answer.

⁴ Knowest thou not this of old, since adam was placed upon earth,

⁵ That the triumphing of the resha’im is short, and the simchat chanef (joy of the hypocrite) but for a moment?

⁶ Though his excellency mount up to Shomayim, and his rosh reach unto the clouds;

⁷ Yet he shall perish lanetzach (forever) like his own dung; they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?

⁸ He shall fly away as a chalom, and shall not be found; yea, he shall be chased away as a chezyon lailah.

⁹ The ayin also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his makom any more behold him.

¹⁰ His banim shall seek the favor of the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods.

¹¹ His atzmot are full of youthful vigor, which shall lie down with him in the aphar.

¹² Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his leshon;

¹³ Though he savor it, and forsake it not, but keep it still betoch (within) his mouth;

¹⁴ Yet his lechem in his stomach is turned sour; it is the venom of vipers within him.

¹⁵ He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; El shall drive them out of his beten.

¹⁶ He shall suck the venom of asps; the viper’s leshon shall slay him.

¹⁷ He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of devash and khemah (butter, curds).

¹⁸ That which he labored for shall he give back, and shall not swallow it down; he shall not rejoice according to his chayil temurah (business profit).

¹⁹ Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the destitute; because he hath violently seized a bais which he built not;

²⁰ Surely he knew no quiet in his beten; he shall not save anything which he desired.

²¹ There shall none of his ochel be left; therefore his posterity will not endure.

²² In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in distress; kol yad of misery shall come upon him.

²³ When he is about to fill his beten, He shall cast the charon af (fury of His wrath) upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.

²⁴ He shall flee from the weapon of barzel (iron), and the keshet of bronze shall strike him through.

²⁵ It is drawn, and cometh out of their body; yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall; emim (terrors [of death]) are upon them.

²⁶ Kol choshech is reserved for his treasures; an eish not fanned shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his ohel.

²⁷ Shomayim shall reveal his iniquity; and eretz shall rise up against him.

²⁸ The increase of his bais shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in [G-d’s] Yom Af.

²⁹ This is the chelek of an adam rasha from Elohim, and the nachalah decreed unto him by El (G-d).

21 But Iyov answered and said,

² Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your tanechumot (consolations).

³ Bear with me that I may speak; and achar (after) that I have spoken, mock on.

⁴ As for me, is my complaint to adam (mortals)? Or why should my ruach not become impatient?

⁵ Look at me, and be astonished, and lay your yad upon your peh (mouth).

⁶ Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my basar.

⁷ Madu’a (why) do the resha’im live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

⁸ Their zera is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

⁹ Their batim (houses) are shalom from pachad; neither is the shevet Eloah upon them.

¹⁰ Their shor (bull) breeds, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and doth not miscarry her calf.

¹¹ They send forth their little ones like a tzon, and their yeladim jump about.

¹² They sing to the tambourine and kinnor, and rejoice at the sound of the flute.

¹³ They spend their yamim in tov, and in a moment go down to Sheol.

¹⁴ Therefore they say unto El, Depart from us; for we desire not the da’as of Thy ways.

¹⁵ What is Shaddai, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we importune Him?

¹⁶ Lo, their tov is not in their yad; the etzah (counsel, scheme) of the resha’im is far from me.

¹⁷ How oft is the ner (light) of the resha’im put out! And how oft cometh their destruction upon them and He distributeth pains in His anger.

¹⁸ They are as straw before the ruach, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

¹⁹ Eloah layeth up his iniquity for his banim; He payeth him back, and he shall know it.

²⁰ His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of Shaddai.

²¹ For what pleasure hath he in his bais after him, when the mispar (number) of his months is cut off?

²² Shall any teach El da’as, seeing He judgeth those that are on high?

²³ Zeh (this one) dieth in his full prosperity, being wholly at ease and secure.

²⁴ His troughs are full of cholov, and his atzmot are moistened with marrow.

²⁵ And another dieth in the marah (bitterness) of his nefesh, and never eateth with pleasure.

²⁶ They shall lie down alike in the aphar, and the worms shall cover them.

²⁷ Behold, I know your machshevot, and the stratagems which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

²⁸ For ye say, Where is the bais of the tyrant? And where are the ohel mishkenot of the resha’im?

²⁹ Have ye not asked them that travel the derech? And do ye not accept their testimony,

³⁰ That the rah is spared in the yom eid (day of calamity)? They shall be rescued in the yom avarot (day of wrath).

³¹ Who shall declare his derech to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?

³² Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the gadish (gravemound).

³³ The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and kol adam shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

³⁴ How then comfort ye me with hevel (empty nothings), seeing in your answers there is nothing left but falsehood?

22 Then Eliphaz of Teman answered and said,

² Can a gever be profitable unto El, as he that has seichel may be profitable unto himself?

³ Is it any pleasure to Shaddai, that thou art tzaddik? Or is it gain to Him, that thou makest thy ways blameless?

⁴ Is it for thy yireh [Elohim] that He reproves thee? Will He enter with thee into mishpat?

⁵ Is not thy rah great? And thine avonot infinite?

⁶ For thou hast exacted a pledge from thy brother for naught, and stripped the arummim (naked ones) of their clothing.

⁷ Thou hast not given mayim to the weary to drink, and thou hast withheld lechem from the hungry.

⁸ But as for the ish zeroa (mighty man), his is ha’aretz; and the honorable man dwelt therein.

⁹ Thou hast sent almanot away empty, and the arms of the yetomim have been broken.

¹⁰ Therefore pachim (snares) are around thee, and sudden pachad troubleth thee;

¹¹ Or choshech, that thou canst not see; and overflow of mayim cover thee.

¹² Is not Eloah in the height of Shomayim? And hinei the rosh kokhavim, how high they are!

¹³ And thou sayest, How doth El know? Can He judge through the thick cloud?

¹⁴ Thick clouds veil Him, that He seeth not; and He walketh in the vault of Shomayim.

¹⁵ Wilt thou note the orach olam which wicked men have trodden?

¹⁶ Who were cut down before their time, whose yesod was overflown with a flood;

¹⁷ Who said unto El, Depart from us; and what can Shaddai do to them?

¹⁸ Yet He filled their batim (houses) with tov; but the etza (counsel) of the resha’im is far from me.

¹⁹ The tzaddikim see it, and are glad, and the naki (innocent) laugh them to scorn.

²⁰ Verily our foe is destroyed, and the abundance of them the eish consumeth.

²¹ Acquaint now thyself with Him, and so hast thou shalom; thereby tovah shall come unto thee.

²² Receive, now, torah from His mouth, and lay up His words in thine lev.

²³ If thou return to Shaddai, thou shalt be restored; if thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy ohalim;

²⁴ Then shalt thou lay up gold as aphar, and that of Ophir as the tzur of the brooks.

²⁵ Yea, Shaddai shall be thy gold, and thy precious kesef.

²⁶ For then shalt thou have thy delight in Shaddai, and shalt lift up thy face unto Eloah.

²⁷ Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee, and thou shalt fulfill thy nederim.

²⁸ Thou shalt also decide a matter, and it shall be established unto thee, and the ohr shall shine upon thy ways.

²⁹ When they are cast down, thou shalt say, Arise, and He shall save the one with low eynayim (i.e., humility).

³⁰ He shall deliver even the guilty; and he is delivered by the bar (cleanness) of thine hands.

23 Then Iyov answered and said,

² Even hayom (today) is my complaint bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

³ Oh that I knew where I might find Him! That I might come even to His techunah (abode)!

⁴ I would order my mishpat (cause) before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

⁵ I would know the words which He would answer me, and have binah of what He would say unto me.

⁶ Will He contend against me with His great koach? No, but He would pay heed to me.

⁷ There the yashar might dispute with Him; so should I be delivered forever from my Shofet (Judge).

⁸ Hen (behold), I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him;

⁹ On the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot behold Him; He hideth himself yamin (on the right hand), that I cannot see Him;

¹⁰ But He knoweth the derech that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as zahav.

¹¹ My regel hath held to His steps, over His way have I been shomer, and not turned aside.

¹² Neither have I gone back from the mitzvah of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my appointed portion.

¹³ But He stands alone, and who can turn Him? And what His nefesh desireth, even that He doeth.

¹⁴ For He accomplisheth the thing that is appointed for me; and rabbot (many) such things are with Him.

¹⁵ Al-ken (therefore) am I troubled at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

¹⁶ For El maketh my lev dejected, and Shaddai troubleth me,

¹⁷ Because I was not cut off from before the choshech, neither hath He hidden deep darkness from my face.

24 Why are times [for judgment] from Shaddai not kept, and why do those who have da’as of him not see his yamim [days [of assize])?

² Some move the boundary stones; they steal edar, and pasture them.

³ They drive away the chamor of the yetomim, they take the ox of the almanah for a pledge.

⁴ They thrust the needy out of the derech; the poor of the eretz needs hide themselves together.

⁵ Look, as wild donkeys in the midbar go they forth to their work; foraging for teref (nourishment); the wilderness yieldeth lechem for them and for their na’arim.

⁶ They reap every one his fodder in the sadeh, and they glean the kerem of the resha’im.

⁷ They spend the night arom (naked) without levush (clothing), they have no covering in the cold.

⁸ They are wet with the rain of the harim, and embrace the tzur for want of a shelter.

⁹ They pluck the yatom from the breast, and seize the oni for debt.

¹⁰ They cause him to go arom without levush, and they take away the omer (sheaf) from the hungry;

¹¹ Which crush olives within their walls, and tread their winepresses, yet suffer thirst.

¹² Men groan from out of the Ir, and the nefesh of the chalalim (wounded ones) crieth out, yet Eloah chargeth not tiflah (folly) to them.

¹³ They are of those that are moredei ohr (rebelling ones against the light); they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

¹⁴ The rotzeach rising with the daylight killeth the oni and needy, and in the lailah is like a ganav.

¹⁵ The eye also of the no’ef is shomer, watching for the dusk’s twilight, saying, No eye shall see me, and puts something to hide his face.

¹⁶ In the choshech they dig through batim (houses); in the daytime they shut themselves in; they have no da’as of the ohr.

¹⁷ For the boker is to them even as the tzalmavet; they are friends with the terrors of tzalmavet.

¹⁸ Swiftly vanishing is he on the surface of the mayim; their chelek is cursed in ha’aretz; he turneth no more in the derech of the kramim (vineyards).

¹⁹ Drought and heat consume the snow waters; so doth Sheol those which have sinned.

²⁰ The rechem (womb) shall forget him; the worm shall feast on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken like an etz.

²¹ He plundereth the barren that beareth not; and doeth not good to the almanah.

²² He drags away also the mighty with his ko’ach; he riseth up, and no man is sure of life.

²³ Though it be given him to be in safety, and he be sustained, yet His eynayim are upon their ways.

²⁴ They are exalted me’at (for a little while), then they are no more and are withered and snatched away like all others, and cut off like the tops of the ears of grain.

²⁵ And if it be not so, who will charge me with lying, and make my milah (word) worth nothing? [T.N. Notice the question answered by Romans, Galatians, and Gn 15:6 as well as Chabakuk 2:4 is stated in Job 25:4 below; see Ephesians 2:8-9 and Ro 3:24,26, 28; 4:2; 5:1,9; Ga 2:16,17; 3:11, 24; 5:4; Ti 3:7; this the most important question raised in the Bible: it is for eternity]

25 Then answered Bildad the Shuchi, and said,

² Dominion and pachad are with Him, oseh shalom bimromav.

³ Is there any number of His armies? And upon whom doth not His ohr arise?

⁴ Mah yitzdak Enosh im El (how then can man be justified, set right, with G-d?) Or how can he be clean that is born of isha?

⁵ If even the yarei’ach shineth not, yea, the kokhavim are not pure in His sight,

⁶ How much less enosh, that is a maggot? And the ben adam, which is a tola’at (worm)?

26 But Iyov answered and said,

² How hast thou helped him that is without ko’ach? How savest thou the zero’a that hath no oz (strength)?

³ How hast thou counseled him that hath no chochmah? And how hast thou plentifully declared the tushiyyah (efficient wisdom)?

⁴ To whom hast thou uttered words? And whose neshamah came from thee?

⁵ Dead things tremble from under the mayim, and the inhabitants thereof.

⁶ Sheol is naked before Him, and Avaddon hath no cover.

⁷ He stretcheth out the Tzafon over the tohu, and hangeth eretz upon nothing.

⁸ He bindeth up the mayim in His thick clouds; and the anan doeth not burst under them.

⁹ He covers the face of [His] kisse, and spreadeth His anan upon it.

¹⁰ He hath circled the horizon on the face of the mayim for a boundary between ohr and choshech.

¹¹ The ammudim of Shomayim tremble and are aghast at His rebuke.

¹² He divideth the yam with His ko’ach, and by His understanding He struck down Rahav.

¹³ By His Ruach He hath made fair Shomayim; His yad hath pierced the fleeing nachash.

¹⁴ Lo, these are but the ketzot of His ways, but how faint the davar we hear of Him. And the thunder of His gevurah who can understand?

27 Moreover Iyov continued his mashal, and said,

² As El liveth, Who hath taken away my mishpat, and Shaddai, Who hath saddened my nefesh;

³ All the while my neshamah is in me, and the ruach of Eloah is in my nostrils,

⁴ My lips shall not speak falsehood, nor my leshon utter deceit.

⁵ Far be it from me I should justify you; till I die I will not remove mine tom (integrity) from me.

⁶ My tzedakah I hold fast, and will not let it go; my lev shall not reproach for any of my days.

⁷ Let mine enemy be as the rasha (evildoer), and he that riseth up against me as unrighteous.

⁸ For what is the tikveh of the chanef, when He cutteth off, when Eloah taketh away, his nefesh?

⁹ Will El hear his cry when tzarah cometh upon him?

¹⁰ Will he delight himself in Shaddai? Will he always call upon Eloah?

¹¹ I will teach you concerning the yad El; that which is with Shaddai will I not conceal.

¹² Hen (behold), all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?

¹³ This is the chelek (lot) of the adam rasha with El and the nachalah of oppressors, which they shall receive from Shaddai.

¹⁴ If his banim be multiplied, it is for the cherev, and his offspring shall not have lechem enough.

¹⁵ Those that survive him shall be buried in mavet, and his almanot shall not weep.

¹⁶ Though he heap up kesef as the aphar, and pile up raiment as the clay,

¹⁷ He may prepare it, but the tzaddik shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the kesef.

¹⁸ He buildeth his bais as a moth, and as a sukkah that the watchman maketh.

¹⁹ The oisher (rich man) shall lie down, but he shall do so no more; he openeth his eyes, and he is not.

²⁰ Terrors take hold on him as a flood, a tempest stealeth him away in the lailah.

²¹ The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth as a storm hurleth him forth from his makom.

²² For it will hurl against him, without sparing; he desperately flees from its yad.

²³ Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him away from his makom.

28 Surely there is a mine for the kesef, and a makom for zahav where they refine it.

² Barzel (iron) is taken out of aphar, and nechoshet is smelted out of the even (stone, ore).

³ He setteth a ketz to choshech, and searcheth out all extremities, the even (ore) of darkness and tzalmavet.

⁴ He cuts out a shaft down far from the inhabitant; forgotten of the regel, they dangle, suspended, away from enosh.

⁵ As for eretz, out of it cometh lechem, and under it is transformed as by eish.

⁶ The stones of it are the makom of the sapphire, and it hath ore of zahav.

⁷ There is a hidden path of which no bird of prey has da’as, and which the falcon’s eye hath not seen.

⁸ The proud beasts have not trodden it, nor the shachal (lion’s cub) passed over it.

⁹ He [the miner] putteth forth his yad upon the rock; he upturneth the mountains by the shoresh.

¹⁰ He cutteth out channels through the tzurot (rocks), and his eye seeth every precious thing.

¹¹ He dams up the streams from flowing, and the thing that is hidden bringeth he forth to ohr.

¹² But where shall chochmah be found? And where is the makom binah?

¹³ Enosh knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the Eretz HaChayyim.

¹⁴ The tehom (abyss) saith, It is not in me; and the yam saith, It is not with me.

¹⁵ It cannot be gotten in exchange for fine gold, neither shall kesef be weighed for the price thereof.

¹⁶ It cannot be valued with the fine gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

¹⁷ The zahav and the crystal cannot equal it, and the exchange of it shall not be for the jewel of gold.

¹⁸ Nor shall mention be made of coral or crystal, for the price of chochmah is above pearls.

¹⁹ The chrysolite of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with tahor gold.

²⁰ From where then cometh chochmah? And where is the makom binah?

²¹ Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of kol chai, and concealed from the oph HaShomayim.

²² Abaddon and Mavet say, We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.

²³ Elohim understandeth the way to it, and He knoweth the makom thereof.

²⁴ For He looketh to the ketzot ha’aretz, and seeth all under Shomayim.

²⁵ The weight He appointed for the ruach, and He weigheth the mayim by measure.

²⁶ When He made a decree for the matar, and a derech for the lightning of the thunder,

²⁷ Az (then) did He see it, and declare it; He prepared it, yea, and searched it out.

²⁸ And unto adam He said, See, the Yirat Adonoi, that is chochmah, and to depart from rah is binah.

29 Moreover Iyov continued his mashal, and said,

² Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when Eloah was shomer over me;

³ When His ner (lamp) shined upon my rosh, and when by His ohr I walked through choshech;

⁴ As I was in the days of my prime, when the Sod Eloah (friendship, counsel of G-d) was over my ohel;

⁵ When Shaddai was yet with me, when my children were around me;

⁶ When I washed my steps with khemah, and the tzur poured me out streams of shemen;

⁷ When I went out to the sha’ar through the city, when I took my moshav in the rekhov!

⁸ The ne’arim saw me, and stepped aside, and the aged arose, and stood up.

⁹ The sarim (nobles) refrained from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

¹⁰ The nobles held their peace, and their leshon cleaved to the roof of their mouth.

¹¹ When the ozen heard me, then it commended me; and when the ayin saw me, it did bear witness of me,

¹² Because I delivered the oni that cried out, and the yatom that had no ozer (helper) for him.

¹³ The birkat oved (blessing of the oppressed) came upon me, and I caused the lev almanah to sing for joy.

¹⁴ I put on tzedek, and it clothed me; my mishpat was as a robe and a tzanif (turban).

¹⁵ I was eyes to the ivver, and feet was I to the pisei’ach.

¹⁶ I was an av to the evyonim (needy); and the cause which I knew not I investigated.

¹⁷ And I broke the fangs of the wicked, and plucked the prey out of his shinayim.

¹⁸ Then I said, I shall die in my ken (nest, house), and I shall multiply my yamim like the chol (sand).

¹⁹ My shoresh was spread out to the mayim, and the tal lay all night upon my branch.

²⁰ My kavod was fresh with me, and my keshet was ever new in my yad.

²¹ Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my etzah (counsel).

²² Acharei (after) my words they spoke not again; and my speech fell upon them.

²³ And they waited for me as for the matar; and they opened their mouth wide as for the malkosh (spring, late rain).

²⁴ I smiled on them when they did not believe; and the ohr of my countenance they did not cast down.

²⁵ I chose out their derech, and sat as Rosh, and dwelt as a melech with his army, as one that comforteth the avelim (mourners).

30 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose avot I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my tzon.

² Yea, what use was the koach of their hands to me, since their vigor hath perished?

³ For choser (want, lack) and hunger they gnawed the parched ground desolate and waste.

⁴ They cut up mallow plants by the bushes, and juniper roots for their lechem.

⁵ They were banished from among men, (they shouted after them as after a ganav);

⁶ To dwell in the clefts of the wadis, in holes of aphar, and in the rocks.

⁷ Among the bushes they brayed; tachat (under) the underbrush they were huddled together.

⁸ They were bnei naval, yea, sons of base men; they were driven forth out of ha’aretz.

⁹ And atah (now) am I their mocking song, yea, I am their byword.

¹⁰ They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not rok (spit) in my face [Mt 26:67].

¹¹ Because He hath loosed my bowstring, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the resen (bridle) before me.

¹² Upon my yamin (right hand) rise up the rabble; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.

¹³ They break up my road, they set forward my overthrow, they have no ozer (helper).

¹⁴ They approach me as through a wide breach; in the shoah (desolation, Holocaust), they rolled themselves upon me.

¹⁵ Ballahot (terrors) are turned upon me; they pursue my dignity like the ruach, and my safety passeth away like a cloud.

¹⁶ And now my nefesh ebbs away from me; the yemei oni have taken hold upon me.

¹⁷ My atzmot are pierced in me in the night, and my gnawing pains take no rest.

¹⁸ By great koach is my garment disfigured; it bindeth me about like the collar of my kuttonet (chiton, robe).

¹⁹ He hath cast me into the chomer, and I am become like aphar and ashes.

²⁰ I cry unto Thee, and Thou dost answer me lo (not); I stand up, and Thou regardest me not.

²¹ Thou art become cruel to me; with Thy strong yad Thou opposest Thyself against me.

²² Thou liftest me up to the ruach; Thou causest me to drive along, and vanish in the roaring of the storm.

²³ For I know that Thou wilt bring me down to mavet, to the bais mo’ed l’khol chai.

²⁴ Yet will not one stretch out his yad in a heap of ruin, or cry out for help in his disaster.

²⁵ Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my nefesh grieved for the evyon (needy)?

²⁶ When I looked for tov, then rah came unto me; and when I waited for ohr, there came ofel (darkness).

²⁷ My bowels boiled, and rested not; yemei oni met me.

²⁸ I went mourning without the sun; I stood up, and I cried out in the kahal.

²⁹ I am an ach to jackals, and a re’a to owls.

³⁰ My ohr (skin) grows black upon me, and my atzmot are burned with fever.

³¹ My kinnor (harp) also is turned to evel (mourning), and my flute into the voice of them that weep.

31 I made a brit (covenant) with mine eyes; how then look I upon a betulah?

² For what chelek of Eloah is there from above? And what nachalah of Shaddai from on high?

³ Is not destruction to the wicked? And a disaster to the poalei aven (workers of wrong)?

⁴ Doth not He see my derech, and count all my steps?

⁵ If I have walked with shav (vanity, falsehood), or if my regel hath hasted to mirmah (deceit),

⁶ Let me be weighed in scales of tzedek that Eloah may know mine tom (integrity).

⁷ If my step hath turned out of the derech, and mine lev walked after mine eyes, and if any mum hath cleaved to mine hands,

⁸ Then let me sow, and let acher (another) eat; yea, let my harvest be uprooted.

⁹ If mine lev have been deceived by an isha, or if I have lurked at petach (doorway) of my re’a;

¹⁰ Then let my isha grind for another, and let another kneel over her.

¹¹ For this is a heinous crime; yea, it is an avon to be brought before judges.

¹² For it is an eish that consumeth to Abaddon, and would root out all mine increase.

¹³ If I did despise the mishpat (cause) of my eved or of my amah, when they contended with me,

¹⁴ What then shall I do when El riseth up? And when He visiteth, what shall I answer Him?

¹⁵ Did not He that made me in the beten make them? And did not Echad fashion us in the rechem?

¹⁶ If I have withheld the poor from their chefetz (desire), or have caused the eyes of the almanah to grow weary,

¹⁷ Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the yatom hath not eaten thereof;

¹⁸ (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with an av, and I have guided her from beten immi;)

¹⁹ If I have seen any oved (one perishing) for want of clothing, or any evyon (needy) without covering,

²⁰ If his heart did not bless me for warming him with the giz (fleece) of my sheep,

²¹ If I have lifted up my yad against the yatom, when I saw my influence in the sha’ar (gate, court);

²² Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder, and mine zero’a be broken from its socket.

²³ For destruction from El was a pachad to me, and by reason of His majesty I could not endure.

²⁴ If I have made zahav my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my security,

²⁵ If I rejoice because my wealth was rav (great), and because mine yad had gotten much,

²⁶ If I beheld the ohr when it shined, or the yarei’ach moving in splendor,

²⁷ And my lev hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my yad [in heathen worship];

²⁸ This also were an avon to be punished by the judge; for then I would have been unfaithful, denying El that is on high.

²⁹ If I rejoice at the misfortune of him that hated me, or gloated when rah found him,

³⁰ Neither have I allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse to his nefesh.

³¹ Have the men of my ohel not said, Where can we find one who has not been sated with his basar (meat)?

³² The stranger did not spend the night in the street, but I opened my delet to the ger.

³³ If I concealed my peysha like Adam, by hiding mine avon in my heart,

³⁴ Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of mishpekhot terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of doors?

³⁵ Oh that one would hear me! See, my tav [signature], that Shaddai would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a sefer [of indictment];

³⁶ Surely I would carry it upon my shoulder, and bind it to me like atarot (crowns).

³⁷ I would declare unto Him the number of my steps; like a nagid (prince) would I go near unto Him.

³⁸ If my adamah cry against me, or if the furrows had wept together,

³⁹ If I have eaten the yield thereof without kesef (payment), or have broken the nefesh of the tenants thereof,

⁴⁰ Let thistles grow instead of chittim (wheat), and weed instead of barley. The divrei Iyov are ended.

32 So these shloshet ha’anashim ceased to answer Iyov, because he was tzaddik in his eyes.

² Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu ben Barachel the Buzi, of the mishpochah Ram; against Iyov was his wrath kindled, because Iyov justified his nefesh rather than Elohim.

³ Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no ma’aneh (refutation, answer), and yet had condemned Iyov.

⁴ Now Elihu had waited till Iyov had spoken, because they were elder than he.

⁵ When Elihu saw that there was no ma’aneh in the mouth of these shloshet ha’anashim, then his wrath was kindled.

⁶ And Elihu ben Barachel the Buzi answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and dared not tell you of what I have da’as.

⁷ I said, Yamim should speak, and multitude of shanim should teach chochmah.

⁸ But there is a ruach in enosh, and the neshamat Shaddai giveth them binah.

⁹ Great men are not always wise, neither do the zekenim understand mishpat.

¹⁰ Therefore I said, Pay heed to me; I also will tell of what I have da’as.

¹¹ Hen (behold), I waited for your dvarim; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

¹² Yea, I attended unto you, and, hinei, there was none of you that proved Iyov wrong, or that answered his words.

¹³ Yet do not say, We have found chochmah; El may vanquish him, lo ish (not man).

¹⁴ Now he hath not directed his millin (words) against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

¹⁵ They were amazed; they answered no od (more); they left off speaking.

¹⁶ When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no od [more]);

¹⁷ I said, I will answer also my chelek (portion); I also will show of mine da’as.

¹⁸ For I am full of millim (words), the ruach within me compelleth me.

¹⁹ Hinei, my beten is like yayin which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like ovot chadashim (new wineskins).

²⁰ I will speak that I may be relieved; I will open my sfatayim and answer.

²¹ Let me not, now, show any man partiality, neither let me flatter adam.

²² For I am not skilled in flattery; in so doing Oseini (my Maker) would soon take me away.

33 Wherefore, Iyov, now, hear my speeches, and pay heed to all my words.

² Hinei, now I have opened my mouth, my leshon hath spoken in my mouth.

³ My words shall be of my yosher lev (the uprightness of my heart), and my lips shall utter da’as that is pure.

⁴ The Ruach El [Ruach Hakodesh] hath made me, and the Neshamah of Shaddai hath given me life.

⁵ Im (If) thou canst, answer me; set thy words in order in my presence; take thy stand.

⁶ See, I am like thee, of El, from chomer (clay) was I taken also.

⁷ Hinei, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.

⁸ Surely thou hast spoken in my ozen, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

⁹ I am pure without peysha; I am clean; neither is there avon in me [Yn 8:46].

¹⁰ Yet He findeth tenuot (occasions) against me, He counteth me for his oyev,

¹¹ He putteth my raglayim in the stocks, He watcheth all my orkhot.

¹² But in this thou art not right; I will answer thee, that Eloah is greater than enosh.

¹³ Why dost thou contend against Him? For He giveth not account of any of His matters.

¹⁴ For El speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

¹⁵ In a chalom, in a chezyon lailah, when deep sleep falleth upon anashim, in slumberings upon the mishkav (bed),

¹⁶ Then He openeth the ozen anashim, and sealeth their admonition

¹⁷ That He may turn them aside from their deeds, and hide pride from gever (man).

¹⁸ He keepeth back his nefesh from the shachat, and his life from the overthrow of the sword.

¹⁹ He is chastened also with pain upon his mishkav, and the continual strife in his atzmot;

²⁰ So that his life abhorreth lechem, and his nefesh dainty food.

²¹ His basar is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his atzmot that were not seen stick out.

²² Yea, his nefesh draweth near unto the shachat, and his life to the ones bringing death.

²³ If there be a malach (messenger, i.e., Malach HaBrit, HaAdon [see Malachi 3:1] ) as melitz (mediator) for him, one of a thousand, who declares a person yashar (upright, Isa 53:11),

²⁴ Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the shachat (pit); I have found a kofer (ransom) [Mk 10:45].

²⁵ His basar shall be restored like a na’ar; he shall return to the yamim of his youthful vigor;

²⁶ He shall pray unto Eloah, and be accepted by Him, and he shall see His face with teruah (shouts of joy); thus He recompenseth unto enosh his tzedek.

²⁷ He looketh upon anashim, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was yashar, and it was not recompensed to me,

²⁸ He will redeem his nefesh from going into the shachat, and his life shall see the ohr.

²⁹ Lo, all these things worketh El, twice, shalosh with gever (man)

³⁰ To bring back his nefesh from the shachat (pit), to be enlightened with the Ohr HaChayyim (light of the living).

³¹ Mark well, O Iyov, pay heed unto me; hold thy peace, and I will speak.

³² If thou hast anything to say, answer me; dabbir (speak), for I desire to justify thee.

³³ If not, pay heed unto me; hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee chochmah.

34 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,

² Hear my words, O ye chachamim; and give ear unto me, ye that have da’as.

³ For the ozen trieth words, as the mouth tasteth food.

⁴ Let us choose for ourselves what is mishpat (right); let us know among ourselves what is tov.

⁵ For Iyov hath said, I am innocent; and El hath taken away my mishpat (right).

⁶ I declare the mishpat (case) against me a lie; though without peysha, my arrow wound is incurable.

⁷ What gever is like Iyov, who drinketh up the scorn [of his friends] like mayim?

⁸ Who goeth in chaverah with the po’alei aven (workers of iniquity, evildoers), and walketh with anshei resha.

⁹ For he hath said, It profiteth a gever nothing that he should please Elohim.

¹⁰ Therefore pay heed unto me ye anashei levav (men of understanding); far be it from El, that He should do evil, and from Shaddai, that He should do wrong.

¹¹ For the po’al adam (work of a man) shall He repay unto him, and make every man to find according to the man’s ways.

¹² Yea, surely El will not do wickedly, neither will Shaddai pervert mishpat (justice).

¹³ Who hath given Him right to rule the earth? Or who hath appointed Him over the tevel?

¹⁴ If He should so determine, if He gather unto Himself His Ruach and His Neshamah,

¹⁵ All basar would perish together, and adam would return unto aphar.

¹⁶ If now thou hast binah, hear this: pay heed to the kol (voice) of my words.

¹⁷ Shall even one that hateth mishpat (right) govern? And wilt thou condemn Him that is Tzaddik and Kabir (the Mighty One)?

¹⁸ Is it fit to say to a melech, Thou art beli’ya’al? And to nobles, Ye are rasha.

¹⁹ Who shows no partiality to sarim (princes), nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they all are the ma’aseh (work) of His hands.

²⁰ In a moment shall they die, and at chatzot lailah the people shall be shaken, and pass away, and the mighty shall be taken away without human hand.

²¹ For His eyes are upon the darkhei ish and He seeth all his goings.

²² There is no choshech, nor tzalmavet, where the po’alei aven (evildoers) may hide themselves.

²³ For He does not need to consider an ish further for anyone to go before El in mispat (judgment).

²⁴ He shall break in pieces kabirim (mighty men) without investigation, and sets acherim (others) in their place.

²⁵ Therefore He knoweth their works, and He overthroweth them in the lailah, so that they are crushed.

²⁶ He striketh them as resha’im in the open sight of others;

²⁷ Because they turned back from following Him, and would not regard any of His drakhim;

²⁸ So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto Him, and He heareth the cry of the aniyim.

²⁹ When He giveth quietness, who then can condemn? When He hideth His panim, who then can behold Him? Whether it be a nation, or an individual only?

³⁰ That the chanef (hypocrite) reign not, nor those who ensnare the people.

³¹ For has anyone said unto El, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more;

³² Teach Thou me what I see not; im (if) I have done iniquity, I will do no more?

³³ Will He then recompense to suit you, just because you disavow it? Thou must choose, not I; therefore speak that of which thou hast da’as.

³⁴ Let anshei levav (men of understanding) say to me, and let a gever chacham who pays heed unto me say,

³⁵ Iyov hath spoken without da’as, and his words were without seichel.

³⁶ Iyov ought to be tried unto the limit, because his answers are those of anshei aven.

³⁷ For he addeth peysha unto his chattat, he clappeth his hands [shaking fist at G-d] among us, and multiplieth his words against El.

35 Elihu spoke moreover, and said,

² Thinkest thou this to be mishpat (right, just), that thou saidst, Tzidki meEl (I am cleared, in the right, justified before G-d)?

³ Ki (yet) thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned [see 9:22]?

⁴ I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.

⁵ Look unto Shomayim, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.

⁶ If thou sinnest, what doest thou against Him? Or if thy peysha’im be multiplied, what doest thou unto Him?

⁷ If thou be tzaddik (righteous), what givest thou Him? Or what receiveth He of thine yad?

⁸ Thy resha (wickedness) may hurt an ish as thou art; and thy tzedek may profit the ben adam.

⁹ They cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the zero’a of the rabbim.

¹⁰ But none saith, Where is Eloah Osai (G-d my Maker), Who giveth zemirot balailah (songs in the night);

¹¹ Who teacheth us more than the behamot eretz, and maketh us wiser than the oph HaShomayim?

¹² There they cry out, but none giveth answer, because of the ga’on (pride, arrogance) of ra’im (wicked men).

¹³ Surely El will not hear shav (vanity), neither will Shaddai regard it.

¹⁴ Although thou sayest thou cannot see Him, yet Din (the court case) is before Him; therefore trust thou, waiting for Him,

¹⁵ though ye say His anger does not pakad (visit, punish) anything and that He does not regard wickedness much;

¹⁶ Therefore doth Iyov open his mouth hevel (in vain); he multiplieth words without da’as.

36 Elihu also proceeded, and said,

² Bear with me a little, and I will show thee that I have yet to speak on behalf of Eloah.

³ I will get my da’as from afar, and will ascribe tzedek to my Maker.

⁴ For truly my words shall not be sheker; one that is tamim (complete) in da’as is among thee.

⁵ See, El is kabir (mighty), and despiseth not any; He is kabir in ko’ach lev (strength of understanding).

⁶ He preserveth not the life of the rasha, but giveth mishpat to the aniyim.

⁷ He withdraweth not His eyes from the tzaddik, but with melachim are they on the kisse; yea, He doth establish them lanetzach (forever), and they are exalted.

⁸ And if they be bound in chains, and be held fast in chevlei oni (cords of affliction),

⁹ Then He showeth them their work, and their peysha’im that they have done arrogantly.

¹⁰ He openeth also their ozen to musar (discipline), and commandeth that they make teshuvah and turn from evil.

¹¹ If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their yamim in tov (prosperity), and their shanim in contentment.

¹² But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without da’as.

¹³ But the chanefei lev (irreligious in heart, hypocrites) incur wrath; they do not cry for help when He bindeth them.

¹⁴ They die in youth, their nefesh among the kedeshim (cult male prostitutes, youthful lusts).

¹⁵ He delivereth the oni in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.

¹⁶ Even so would He have removed thee out of the tzar (distress) into a rachav (broad place), free from restriction, to the comfort of thy shulchan, full of choice food.

¹⁷ But thou hast been fixated on the din of the rasha; din and mishpat take hold on thee.

¹⁸ Because there is chemah, beware lest He take thee away with His stroke; then a rav kopher (great ransom) cannot deliver thee.

¹⁹ Will He esteem thy riches? No, not zahav, nor all the forces of ko’ach.

²⁰ Desire not halailah (the night), when people are cut off in their place.

²¹ Take heed, regard not iniquity; for this hast thou chosen rather than oni.

²² See, El exalted by His ko’ach. Who is a moreh (teacher) like Him?

²³ Who hath enjoined Him His derech? Or who can say, Thou hast done wrong?

²⁴ Remember that thou must extol His work, of which anashim have sung praises.

²⁵ Kol adam has seen it; enosh beholds it afar off.

²⁶ See, El is great, and we know Him not, neither can the mispar of His shanim be searched out.

²⁷ For He draws up the drops of mayim; He distills His mist as matar;

²⁸ Which the clouds do drop and distill upon adam abundantly.

²⁹ Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the thunderings of His sukkah?

³⁰ See, He spreadeth His ohr upon it, and covereth the depths of the yam.

³¹ For by them governeth He the amim (nations); He giveth okhel in abundance.

³² His hands He covers with the ohr (lightning), and commandeth it to strike the mark.

³³ The thunder thereof showeth concerning Him; the storm tells His indignant af (wrath).

37 At this also my lev trembleth, and is moved out of its place.

² Hear attentively the rogez of His voice, and the sound that goeth out of His mouth.

³ He directeth it under kol HaShomayim, and His ohr (lightning) unto the ends of ha’aretz.

⁴ After it His kol (voice) roareth; He thundereth with the kol of His majesty; one cannot hold them back when His kol is heard.

⁵ El thundereth marvellously with His kol; gedolot doeth He, beyond our understanding.

⁶ For He saith to the snow, Fall thou to the eretz; likewise to the geshem matar, the heavy downpour of rain.

⁷ He sealeth up kol adam; that all men may know His work.

⁸ Then the chayyah (beasts) go into their lair, and remain in their places.

⁹ Out of its cheder (chamber) cometh the whirlwind; and cold out of the driving winds.

¹⁰ By the neshamah of El frost is given, and the broad mayim are frozen.

¹¹ Also by watering He loadeth the thick cloud; He scattereth the anan of His ohr (lightning),

¹² And it is turned round about by His guidance; that they may do whatsoever He commandeth them upon the face of the tevel (habitable world).

¹³ He causeth it to happen, whether for correction, or for His land, or for chesed.

¹⁴ Pay heed unto this, O Iyov; stand still, and consider the nifle’ot El (wondrous works of G-d).

¹⁵ Dost thou know how Elo’ah controls them, and caused the ohr (lightning) of His cloud to flash?

¹⁶ Dost thou know the spreading out of the clouds, the wondrous works of Him which is tamim in da’as?

¹⁷ You whose garments are hot, when the eretz is still because of the south wind,

¹⁸ Hast thou with Him spread out the shekhakim (clouds), hard as a molten mirror?

¹⁹ Teach us what we shall say unto Him, for we cannot order our case by reason of choshech.

²⁰ Should it be told Him that I wish to speak? Or should an ish say that he would be swallowed up?

²¹ And now men cannot look at the bright ohr which is in the clouds, when the ruach passeth, and cleareth them.

²² Splendor of zahav cometh out of the north; with Elo’ah is awesome hod (majesty).

²³ Touching Shaddai, we cannot reach Him; He is exalted in ko’ach, and in mishpat, and rov tzedakah; He does not oppress.

²⁴ Anashim do therefore fear Him; He regardeth not any that are wise of heart.

38 Then Hashem answered Iyov out of the whirlwind, and said,

² Who is this that darkeneth etzah (counsel) with words without da’as?

³ Gird up now thy loins like a gever; for I will ask of thee, and thou wilt answer Me.

⁴ Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of eretz? Tell, if thou hast binah.

⁵ Who hath drafted the dimensions thereof, if thou hast da’as? Or who hath stretched a measuring line across it?

⁶ Whereupon are the foundations thereof set? Or who laid the even-pinnah (cornerstone) thereof

⁷ When the kokhvei boker sang together, and all the Bnei Elohim shouted for joy?

⁸ Or who shut up the yam behind doors? Who brought it forth, issuing out of the rekhem (womb)

⁹ When I made the anan the garment thereof, and thick darkness its swaddling band,

¹⁰ And fixed bounds for it, and set bars and dlatot (doors),

¹¹ And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; and poh (here) shall thy proud waves be stopped?

¹² Hast thou commanded the boker since thy yamim began; or caused the shachar (dawn) to know its place;

¹³ That it might seize the ends of ha’aretz, that the resha’im be shaken out of it?

¹⁴ It is changed like chomer (clay) under the khotam (seal); and they stand out like a garment.

¹⁵ And from the resha’im their ohr is denied, and the upraised zero’a shall be broken.

¹⁶ Hast thou entered into the springs of the yam? Or hast thou walked in the recesses of the tehom?

¹⁷ Have the sha’arei mavet been disclosed unto thee? Or hast thou seen the sha’arei tzalmavet?

¹⁸ Hast thou perceived the expanse of eretz? Tell Me if thou hast da’as of it all.

¹⁹ Where is the derech where ohr dwelleth? And as for choshech, where is the place thereof,

²⁰ That thou shouldest take it to its border, and that thou shouldest have da’as of the paths to its bais?

²¹ Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? Or because the mispar of thy yamim is so great?

²² Hast thou entered into the otzrot (storehouses) of the snow? Or hast thou seen the otzrot of barad (hail),

²³ Which I have reserved for the time of tzar, for the yom kerav (battle) and milchamah (war)?

²⁴ Which is the derech where the ohr is distributed, where is scattered the east wind upon eretz?

²⁵ Who hath cut a channel for the overflowing of waters, or a derech for the lightning of thunder,

²⁶ To cause it to rain on eretz, where lo ish is; on midbar, wherein there is lo adam;

²⁷ To saturate a desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the desheh to spring forth?

²⁸ Hath the rain an av? Or who hath begotten the drops of tal (dew)?

²⁹ Out of whose beten cometh the ice? And the frost of Shomayim, who giveth birth to it?

³⁰ The mayim harden like even (stone), and the face of tehom is frozen.

³¹ Canst thou bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the bonds of Orion?

³² Canst thou bring forth Mazzarot in their times? Or canst thou guide the Bear with its banim?

³³ Knowest thou the chukkot of Shomayim? Canst thou set the rule over ha’aretz?

³⁴ Canst thou lift up thy kol (voice) to the clouds, that abundance of mayim may cover thee?

³⁵ Canst thou send lightning bolts, that they may go and say unto thee, Hineinu (here we are)?

³⁶ Who hath put chochmah in the inward parts, or who hath given binah to the mind?

³⁷ Who can number the clouds in chochmah, or who can tip the waterskins of Shomayim,

³⁸ When the dust hardens into a clump, and the clods cleave fast together?

³⁹ Wilt thou hunt the teref for the lioness, or fill the appetite of her whelps,

⁴⁰ When they crouch in their me’onot (dens), and abide in the lair to lie in ambush?

⁴¹ Who provideth for the raven his food? When his young ones cry unto El, they wander about for lack of okhel.

39 Dost thou have da’as of the et (time) when the mountain goats give birth, or art thou shomer to watch when the doe bears her fawn?

² Canst thou number the months that they fulfil, or dost thou have da’as of the et (time) when they give birth?

³ They crouch down, they bring forth their yeledim, their chavalim (birth pains) are cast off in riddance.

⁴ Their banim gain strength, they grow up in the bar (open, wild); they go forth, and return not unto them.

⁵ Who hath sent out the pere (wild donkey) free, or who hath untied the ropes of the arod (wild donkey, onager),

⁶ Whose bais I have made the aravah, and the barren land his mishkenot (dwellings)?

⁷ He laughs at the tumult of the kiryah (city), neither regardeth he the shouts of the driver.

⁸ The range of the harim is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

⁹ Will the wild ox be willing to be thy eved, or stay the night by thy evus (animal feeding trough)?

¹⁰ Canst thou bind the wild ox to the furrow with a rope, or will it behind thee till the amakim (valleys)?

¹¹ Wilt thou depend on him, because his ko’ach is great, or wilt thou hand over thy heavy work to him?

¹² Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring in thy zera (grain), and gather it into thy goren (threshing floor)?

¹³ Joyfully flapping are the wings of the ostrich, but are her wings and feathers like the khasidah (stork)?

¹⁴ For the ostrich layeth her betzim (eggs) la’aretz (on the ground), and warmeth them in the sand,

¹⁵ And forgetteth that the regel may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.

¹⁶ She treats harshly her banim, as though they were not hers; though her labor should be in vain, yet she is without pachad (fear, care),

¹⁷ Because Elo’ah hath deprived her of chochmah, neither hath he imparted to her binah.

¹⁸ Yet at the et (time) she flaps her wings [to run], she laughs at the sus and his rider.

¹⁹ Hast thou given the sus gevurah? Hast thou clothed his neck with a flowing mane?

²⁰ Canst thou make him leap like an arbeh (locust)? The hod (glory) of his snorting strikes terror.

²¹ He paweth in the emek (valley), and rejoiceth in his koach; he chargeth into the fray.

²² He laugheth at pachad, and nothing fears; neither turneth he back from the cherev.

²³ The quiver rattleth at his side, the glittering spear and the kidon (scimitar, curved sword).

²⁴ He eats up the eretz with fierceness and rogez (rage); neither standeth he still at the sound of the shofar.

²⁵ As often as the shofar, he snorts Aha! and he smelleth the milchamah afar off, the shout of the sarim, and the teru’ah (battle cry).

²⁶ Doth the hawk fly by thy binah, and stretch her wings toward the south?

²⁷ Doth the nesher (eagle) mount up at thy command, and make her ken (nest) on high?

²⁸ She dwelleth and abideth on the cliff, upon the crag of the rock, its metzudah (stronghold).

²⁹ From there she seeketh the okhel (food, prey), and her eyes behold it from afar off.

³⁰ Her young ones feast on dahm; and where the chalalim (slain ones) are, there it is.

40 Moreover Hashem answered Iyov, and said,

² Shall he that contendeth with Shaddai correct him? The mokhiach Eloah (rebuker of G-d), let him answer it.

³ Then Iyov answered Hashem, and said,

⁴ See, I am vile; what shall I answer Thee? I will lay mine yad upon my mouth.

⁵ Once have I spoken, but I will not answer; yea, shtayim (twice), but I will proceed no further.

⁶ Then answered Hashem unto Iyov out of the whirlwind, and said,

⁷ Gird up thy loins now like a gever. I will question thee, and thou shall answer Me.

⁸ Wilt thou also annul My mishpat (justice)? Wilt thou condemn Me, that thou mayest be justified?

⁹ Hast thou a zero’a like El? Or canst thou thunder with a kol (voice) like Him?

¹⁰ Adorn thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with hod (glory) and hadar (splendor).

¹¹ Unleash thy evrot af (furious wrath); and behold every one that is proud, and bring him low.

¹² Look on every one that is proud, and humble him, and tread down the resha’im in their place.

¹³ Bury them in the aphar together; shroud their faces in the crypt.

¹⁴ Then odecha (will I confess, admit unto thee) that thine own right hand can save thee.

¹⁵ Hinei now behemot (hippopotamus), which I made along with thee; he eateth grass like an ox.

¹⁶ Hinei now, his koach is in his loins, and his force is in the sinews of his beten (belly).

¹⁷ He moveth his zanav (tail) like a cedar branch; the sinews of his thighs are firmly interwoven.

¹⁸ His atzmot are like tubes of nechoshet; his limbs are like rods of barzel (iron).

¹⁹ He is the reshit (firstling) of the ways of El; He, his Maker, can approach it with His cherev.

²⁰ Surely the harim bring forth food for him, where all the wild beasts play.

²¹ He lieth under the shade of lotus plants, beseter (in the covert) of the reed and marsh.

²² The lotus plants cover him with their shadow; the willows by the nakhal (brook, stream) surround him.

²³ See, when the nahar (river) rages, he is not alarmed; he is confident, though Yarden breaketh forth upon his mouth.

²⁴ While he is looking can one capture him? With mokeshim (hooks) can one pierce his nose?

41 Canst thou draw out Leviathan with a khakah (fishhook)? Or tie down his leshon with a cord?

^2 (26) Canst thou put a hook into his af (nose)? Or bore his jaw through with a barb?

^3 (27) Will he make many tachanunim unto thee? Will he speak soft words unto thee?

^4 (28) Will he make a brit (covenant) with thee? Wilt thou take him for an eved olam?

^5 (29) Wilt thou play with him as with a pet bird? Or wilt thou leash him for thy na’arot (maidens)?

^6 (30) Shall traders barter for him? Shall they divide him among the Kena’anim (Canaanites, merchants)?

^7 (31) Canst thou fill his ohr (skin) with harpoons? Or his head with fishing spears?

^8 (32) Lay thine hand upon him; remember the milchamah. Thou wilt not do it more.

^9 (41:1) See, every tokhelet (expectation) is false; shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?

^10 (41:2) None is so foolhardy that dare stir him up. Mi (who) then is able to stand before Me?

^11 (41:3) Mi (who) hath given Me, that I must repay him? Whatsoever is under the kol HaShomayim is Mine.

^12 (41:4) I will not keep silent about his members, nor his gevurah, nor the grace of his form.

^13 (41:5) Mi (who) can remove his outer garment? Or mi (who) can come near him with a double bridle?

^14 (41:6) Mi (who) can open the doors of his face? Terror is round about his teeth.

^15 (41:7) His scales are his ga’avah (pride), shut up together as with a rigid chotam (seal).

^16 (41:8) One is so near to another, that no ruach (air) can pass between them.

^17 (41:9) They are joined one to another; they stick together, inseparably.

^18 (41:10) By his sneezings ohr flares out, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the shachar.

^19 (41:11) Out of his mouth goeth flame, and sparks of eish leap out.

^20 (41:12) Out of his nostrils goeth forth smoke, like a seething pot or caldron.

^21 (41:13) His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.

^22 (41:14) In his neck resideth oz (strength), and terror dances before him.

^23 (41:15) The flanks of his basar are joined together; they are firm in themselves, immoveable.

^24 (41:16) His lev (chest) is as firm as an even (stone); yea, as hard as the lower millstone.

^25 (41:17) When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid; shuddering they retreat.

^26 (41:18) The cherev of him that reacheth at him cannot hold—the spear, the dart, nor the harpoon.

^27 (41:19) He esteemeth barzel (iron) like straw, and nechoshet as rotten wood.

^28 (41:20) The arrow cannot make him flee; sling stones are turned with him into stubble.

^29 (41:21) Clubs are counted as straw; he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.

^30 (41:22) Sharp shards are his under parts; he leaveth a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.

^31 (41:23) He maketh the deep to boil like a pot; he stirreth the yam like a pot of ointment.

^32 (41:24) He maketh a wake to shine after him; one would think the deep to be white hair.

^33 (41:25) Upon earth there is not his equal, who is created without fear.

^34 (41:26) He beholdeth all things lofty; he is a melech over every proud beast.

42 Then Iyov answered Hashem, and said,

² I have da’as that Thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted.

³ Who is this that hideth etzah (counsel) without da’as? Therefore have I judged without understanding things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

⁴ Shema, I beseech Thee, and I will speak; I will ask of Thee, and declare Thou unto me.

⁵ I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ozen, but now mine eye hath seen Thee.

⁶ Therefore I abhor myself, and nichamti (I am sorry, I make teshuvah) in dust and ashes.

⁷ And it was so, that after Hashem had spoken these words unto Iyov, Hashem said to Eliphaz the Temani, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends; for ye have not spoken in reference to Me the thing that is nekhonah (correct), like Avdi Iyov hath.

⁸ Therefore take unto you now seven bulls and seven rams, and go to Avdi Iyov, and offer up for yourselves olah (burnt offering); and Avdi Iyov shall pray for you; for him will I accept; lest I deal with you after your nevalah (folly), in that ye have not spoken in reference to Me the thing which is nekhonah (correct), like Avdi Iyov.

⁹ So Eliphaz the Temani and Bildad the Shuchi and Tzophar the Na’amati went, and did according as Hashem commanded them. Hashem also accepted Iyov.

¹⁰ And Hashem restored the fortunes of Iyov, when he prayed for his friends; also Hashem gave Iyov twice as much as he possessed before.

¹¹ Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat lechem with him in his bais; and they expressed sympathy with him, and comforted him over all the ra’ah that Hashem had brought upon him; every ish also gave him a kesitah, and every ish a ring of zahav.

¹² So Hashem blessed the acharit (latter end) of Iyov more than his reshit; for he had fourteen thousand tzon, and six thousand gemalim, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-donkeys.

¹³ He had also seven banim and shalosh banot.

¹⁴ And he called the shem of the first, Yemima, and the shem of the second, Ketziah, and the shem of the third, Keren-hapuch.

¹⁵ And in kol ha’aretz were no nashim found so fair as the banot Iyov; and their av gave them nachalah with their achim.

¹⁶ After this lived Iyov an hundred and forty shanah, and saw his banim, and his banei banim, even arba’ah dorot.

¹⁷ So Iyov died, being zaken and full of yamim.

1 Shir HaShirim, which is Sh’lomo’s

² Let him kiss me with the neshikot (kisses) of his mouth; for better is dodecha (thy love) than yayin (wine).

³ Tovim is the fragrance of thy shmanim (ointments); thy shem (name) is like shemen (ointment) poured forth; therefore do the alamot love thee [alamot, young unmarried virgins; pl of almah virgin; see Shir HaShirim 6:8; Yeshayah 7:14; Bereshis 24:43; Shemot 2:8; Mishlei 30:19, where the word has this explicit or implicit meaning throughout the Tanakh; see page vii].

⁴ Draw me; so will we run after thee; the Melech hath brought me into his chadarim (chambers); we will be glad and rejoice in thee; we will extol dodecha (thy love) more than yayin; uprightly have they loved thee.

⁵ Shechorah (black, dark, sun-blackened) am I, yet lovely, O ye banot Yerushalayim, like the oholim (tents) of Kedar, like the curtains of Sh’lomo.

⁶ Let your eyes burn not into me because I am black, because the shemesh hath burned its eyes into me; bnei immi (my step-brothers) were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the kramim (vineyards); but mine own kerem (vineyard) have I not kept.

⁷ O tell me, thou whom my nefesh loveth, where feedest thou? Where makest thou thy flock to lie down at noon? For why should I be as one who veils herself among the edrei chaverecha (the flocks of thy chaverim, fellow companions)?

⁸ If thou know not, O thou fairest among nashim, go thy way forth by the footprints of the tzon, and feed thy young goats beside the mishkenot haro’im (the tents of the shepherds).

⁹ O my love, to a susah (mare) among the chariots of Pharaoh do I compare thee.

¹⁰ Thy cheeks are lovely with ornaments, thy tzavar (neck) with necklaces.

¹¹ Ornaments of zahav will we make for thee, studded with kesef.

¹² While the Melech is at his table, my spikenard perfume has yielded its fragrance.

¹³ Dodi (my beloved) is to me a sachet of myrrh that lieth in my bosom.

¹⁴ Dodi (my beloved) is to me as a cluster of henna blooms in the kramim (vineyards) of Ein-Gedi.

¹⁵ See, thou art yafeh (fair), my love; see, thou art fair; thine eynayim are yonim (doves).

¹⁶ See, thou art yafeh (handsome), dodi (my beloved), yea, na’im (pleasing); also our couch is verdant.

¹⁷ The beams of our bais are cedar, and our rafters are cypress.

2 I am the rose of Sharon, and the shoshan (lily) of the valleys.

² As the shoshan (lily) among thorns, so is my love among the banot.

³ As the tapuach (apple tree) among the trees of the wood, so is dodi (my beloved) among the banim. Betzilloh (in his shade, shadow) chimmadti (I desire [see Shir HaShirim 5:16]), and his p’ri (fruit) is sweet to my taste.

⁴ He brought me to the Bais HaYayin, and his degel (standard, banner, flag) over me is ahavah.

⁵ Sustain me with cakes of raisins, comfort me with apples: ki cholat ahavah ani (for I am faint with ahavah, lovesick).

⁶ His left hand is under my rosh, and his right hand doth embrace me.

⁷ I charge you, O ye banot Yerushalayim, by the gazelles, and by the deer of the sadeh, that ye arouse nor awake HaAhavah till it pleases [i.e., until its own time—see 3:5; 8:4].

⁸ Kol dodi (the voice of my beloved)! Hinei, he cometh leaping upon the harim, bounding over the hills.

⁹ Dodi (my beloved) is like a gazelle or a young deer; hinei, he standeth behind our Kotel (Wall); he looketh forth at the chalonot (windows), peering through the lattices [Rev 3:20].

¹⁰ Dodi (my beloved) spoke, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

¹¹ For, hinei, the winter is past, the geshem (rain) is over and gone;

¹² The flowers appear on ha’aretz; the time of zemer (song, singing of birds) has come; and the voice of the turtledove is heard in Artzeinu (our Land);

¹³ The te’enah (fig tree) putteth forth her early figs, and the vines with the tender grape give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

¹⁴ O my yonah (dove), that art in the clefts of the rock, in the seter (secret place) of the cliff, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is lovely.

¹⁵ Catch the shu’alim (foxes), the shu’alim ketanim (little foxes), that spoil the kramim (vines); for krameinu (our [blooming] vines) have tender grapes.

¹⁶ Dodi (my beloved) is mine, and I am his; he feedeth among the lilies.

¹⁷ Until HaYom (the day) break, and the shadows flee away, turn, dodi (my beloved), and be thou like a gazelle or a young deer upon the hills of Beter.

3 In the nights on my bed I sought him whom my nefesh loveth; I sought him, but I found him not.

² So I will rise then, and go about the city in the streets, and in the rechovot (open squares, places); I will seek him whom my nefesh loveth; I sought him, but found him not.

³ The shomrim (watchmen) that go about the city found me; to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my nefesh loveth?

⁴ Scarcely had I passed from them, when I found him whom my nefesh loveth; I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into the bais immi (the house of my mother), and into the cheder of her that conceived me.

⁵ I charge you, O ye banot Yerushalayim, by the gazelles, and by the deer of the sadeh, that ye arouse nor awake HaAhavah till it pleases [i.e., until its own time, see 2:7; 8:4].

⁶ Who is this that cometh out of the midbar like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense from all the fragrant powders of the rokhel (merchant)?

⁷ Hinei, his conveyance [see palanquin, 3:9], which is Sh’lomo’s; threescore gibborim (valiant men) are around it, of the Gibborei Yisroel.

⁸ They all hold swords, being expert in michamah (war); every man hath his cherev (sword) at his side against the pachad (terror, dread) of the nights.

⁹ HaMelech Sh’lomo made himself an appiryon (palanquin, mobile throne carried on a litter on the shoulders of men) of the wood of the Levanon.

¹⁰ He made the pillars thereof of kesef, the support thereof of zahav, the cushion of it of purple, the interior thereof being inlaid with Ahavah, by the banot Yerushalayim.

¹¹ Come out, O ye banot Tziyon, and behold Sh’lomo HaMelech with the atarah (crown) wherewith his em crowned him in the Yom Chasunoh (day of his wedding), and in the Yom Simchat Libo (day of the gladness of his heart [see Rv 19:6-10; Ep 5:22-33; Yn 3:29; 2C 11:1-2; Yeshayah 54:5-6; Yirmeyah 2:2 Yechezkel 16:8-14,20-21,32,38; Hoshea 2:16,18-20 and here see the Shulamite as a type of the Kehillah of Moshiach and Sh’lomo Ben Dovid a type of Moshiach Ben Dovid the Ro’eh HaTov, the Good Shepherd])

4 Behold, thou art yafeh, my love; behold, thou art yafeh; thine eyes are yonim (doves) behind your veil; thy hair is like an eder (flock) of goats descending from Mount Gil`ad.

² Thy teeth are like an eder of sheep that are just shorn, coming up from washing; whereof every one is matched, and none is missing among them.

³ Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy mouth is naveh (lovely); thy temple is like a half-pomegranate within thy veil.

⁴ Thy tzavar (neck) is like the migdal Dovid girt with battlements, whereon there hang a thousand mogen [Dovid], all the shields of Gibborim.

⁵ Thy two breasts are like two ofarim (fawns, young deer) that are twins, which graze among the lilies.

⁶ Until HaYom (the day) break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the har hamor (mountain of myrrh), and to the hill of frankincense.

⁷ Thou art all yafeh, my love; there is no mum (blemish, spot, defect, flaw) in thee.

⁸ Come with me from the Levanon, my kallah (bride), with me from the Levanon; come down from the heights of Amanah, from the top of Senir and Chermon, from the dens of the arayot (lions), from the hills of the nemerim (leopards).

⁹ Thou hast ravished my lev, my sister, my kallah; thou hast ravished my lev with one of thy glances, with one link of thy necklace.

¹⁰ How fair is thy love, my sister, my kallah! How much better is thy love than yayin! And the scent of thine perfumes than any spice!

¹¹ Thy lips, O my kallah, drip like the honeycomb; devash and cholov are under thy tongue; and the scent of thy garments is like the scent of the Levanon.

¹² A gan (garden) locked is my sister, my kallah; a spring enclosed, a ma’ayan (fountain) sealed.

¹³ Thy plants are a pardeis (park, paradise) of pomegranates, with pleasant p’ri; henna with spikenard,

¹⁴ Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with kol atzei levonah (all kinds of incense trees); myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices:

¹⁵ A na’yan (fountain) of gardens, a be’er (well) of mayim chayyim (well of living waters), and streams from the Levanon.

¹⁶ Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south wind; blow upon my gan (garden), that the fragrances thereof may flow out. Let dodi (my beloved) come into his gan (garden), and let him taste its choice pri (fruits).

5 I am come into my gan (garden), my sister, my kallah; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my devash (honey); I have drunk my yayin with my cholov (milk): Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, dodim.

² I sleep, but my lev waketh: it is the voice of dodi (my beloved) that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my yonah (dove) tammati (my undefiled, my perfect one); for my head is filled with tal (dew), and my hair with the drops of the lailah.

³ I have put off my kuttonet (kesones, chiton, robe); how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

⁴ Dodi (my beloved) thrust his hand through the latchopening, my heart began pounding for him.

⁵ I arose to open to dodi (my beloved); and my hands dripped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the man’ul (lock, door bolt).

⁶ I opened to dodi (my beloved); but dodi had withdrawn and gone; my nefesh departed when he spoke; I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The shomrim (watchmen) that went about the city found me, they beat me, they wounded me; the shomrei hachomat (i.e., the shomrim, the guardians [of the city on the wall]) took away my cloak from me.

⁸ I charge you, O banot Yerushalayim, if ye find dodi (my beloved), what will ye tell him? Tell him shecholat ahavah ani (I am faint with ahavah, lovesick [see 2:5]).

⁹ How is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among nashim? How is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

¹⁰ Dodi (my beloved) is radiant and ruddy, unrivaled by ten thousand.

¹¹ His head is like the purest gold, his hair is wavy and shachor (black) as the raven.

¹² His eyes are like yonim (doves) by the streams of mayim, washed with cholov, jewels fitly set.

¹³ His cheeks are like beds of spices, like sweet flowers; his lips like shoshanim (lilies), dripping sweet scented myrrh.

¹⁴ His hands are like rods of zahav set with chrysolites; his body is like a polished work of ivory decorated with sapphires.

¹⁵ His legs are like pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine zahav; his countenance is like the Levanon, bachor (one being choice) like the cedars.

¹⁶ His mouth is most sweet; yea, he is machamaddim (altogether desirable [see Shir HaShirim 2:3; Chaggai 2:7 says Moshiach is the Desired of all Nations]). This is dodi (my beloved), and this is my friend, O banot Yerushalayim. [T.N. The next chapter is commented on extensively beginning at page vii. This section is one of the most important Scriptures in the Bible because it buttresses Isa 7:14 and its foundational meaning.]

6 Where is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among nashim? Where is thy beloved turned aside, that we may seek him with thee?

² Dodi (my beloved) is gone down into his gan (garden), to the beds of spices, to feed in the ganim (gardens), and to gather shoshanim (lilies).

³ I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine; he feedeth among the shoshanim.

⁴ Thou art yafeh, O my love, as Tirtzah, lovely as Yerushalayim, awe-inspiring as bannered troops on the march.

⁵ Turn away thine eyes from me, for they overwhelm me; thy hair is as an eder of goats that descend from Gil‘ad.

⁶ Thy teeth are as an eder harechalim (flock of ewes) which go up from the washing, whereof every one is matched, and there is not one missing among them.

⁷ As a half pomegranate is thy temple within thy veil.

⁸ There are threescore melakhot (queens), and fourscore pilagshim (concubines), and alamot (young unmarried virgins) without number [T.N. Alamot is plural of almah, "virgin," alamot, "virgins;" see Shir HaShirim 1:3; Yeshayah 7:14; Bereshis 24:43; Shemot 2:8; Mishlei 30:19 where the word means explicitly or implicitly "virgin" and where "young woman" is not an adequate rendering, in this case, since the King was hardly interested in only young women in his harem, but demanded "virgins"; the older Jewish translations like Harkavy’s so translated the word as "virgin" in this verse until it became politically incorrect to do so in later, more liberal Jewish translations into English].

⁹ My yonah (dove), tammati (my perfect one, my undefiled) is unique; she is the only one of her em (mother), she is the barah (choice one) of her that bore her. The banot saw her, they called her blessed; yea, the melakhot and the pilagshim [see 6:8] praise her.

¹⁰ Who is she that looks forth like the shachar (dawn), yafeh as the levanah (moon), clear as the sun, and aweinspiring as bannered troops on the march?

¹¹ I went down into the grove of nut trees to see the blossoms of the valley, and to see whether hagefen (the vine) flourished and the pomegranates bloomed.

¹² Before I was aware, my nefesh lifted me up to the merkevot of ammi (my people) of one, a royal one.

^13 (7:1) Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may gaze upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the mecholat Machanayim (dance of the Machanayim [see Bereshis 32:3]).

7 How beautiful are thy feet in sandals, O prince’s daughter! Thy graceful legs are like jewels, ma’aseh yedei amon (the work of the hands of an artist, see Prov 8:30).

^2 (7:3) Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not wine: thy waist is like a mound of chittim (wheat) encircled by shoshanim (lilies).

^3 (7:4) Thy two breasts are like two fawns that are twins of a gazelle.

^4 (7:5) Thy tzavar (neck) is like a migdal of ivory; thine eyes like the pools of Cheshbon, by the sha’ar (gate) of Bat-Rabbim; thy nose is like the migdal of the Levanon which looketh toward Damascus.

^5 (7:6) Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like royal tapestry; Melech is held captive in its tresses.

^6 (7:7) How fair and how pleasant art thou, O Ahavah, for delights!

^7 (7:8) This thy stature is like a tamar (palm tree), and thy breasts eshkolot (clusters [of fruit]).

^8 (7:9) I said, I will climb up to the tamar, I will take hold of the branches thereof; now also thy breasts shall be as eshkelot hagefen (clusters of the vine), and the scent of thy breath like apples;

^9 (7:10) And the roof of thy mouth like the best yayin of dodi (my beloved), that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.

^10 (7:11) I am my beloved’s, and to me goeth forth his teshukah (desire).

^11 (7:12) Come, dodi (my beloved), let us go forth into the sadeh; let us lodge in the villages.

^12 (7:13) Let us get up early to the kramim (vineyards); let us see if the gefen budded, whether the tender grape appears, and the pomegranates bloom; there will I give thee my love.

^13 (7:14) The mandrakes send out their fragrance, and at our doors are all manner of pleasant fruits, chadashim (new ones) and yeshanim (old ones), which I have stored up and kept for thee, O dodi (my beloved). [T.N. Just as there are different classes of women in the harem—so there are different residences in the book of Esther, for the malkah, for the pilegesh and for the almah or betulah; cf Song 6:8 and Esther chp 2.]

8 O that thou were like my brother, that nursed the breasts of immi (my mother)! Then, if I should find thee outside, I would kiss thee; yea, and no one would look down on me.

² I would lead thee, and bring thee into bais immi [see 3:4]. Thou wouldest instruct me; I would cause thee to drink of spiced yayin and the nectar of my pomegranate.

³ His left hand should be under my rosh, and his right hand embrace me.

⁴ I charge you, O banot Yerushalayim, that ye arouse nor awake HaAhavah (the Love) till it pleases [i,e., until its own time, see 2:7; 3:5] .

⁵ Who is this that cometh up from the midbar, leaning upon her beloved? Under the tapuach (apple tree) I awakened thee; it was there thy em conceived thee; there she who brought thee forth conceived thee.

⁶ Set me as a chotam (seal) upon thine lev, as a chotam upon thine zero’a (arm); for ahavah is strong as mavet (death); kinah (jealousy) as unyielding as Sheol; the flames thereof are flames of eish, the flame of Hashem.

⁷ Mayim rabbim (many waters) cannot quench HaAhavah, neither can the floods drown it; if a man would give all the wealth of his bais for ahavah, it would be utterly scorned.

⁸ We have an achot ketannah (little sister), and she hath as yet no breasts. What shall we do for achoteinu (our sister) in the day when she shall be spoken for?

⁹ If she be a chomah (wall), we will build upon her a pinnacle of kesef; and if she be a delet (door), we will enclose her with panels of cedar.

¹⁰ I am a chomah (wall), and my breasts, like migdalot; then was I in his eyes like one that findeth shalom.

¹¹ Sh’lomo had a kerem (vineyard) at Baal-Hamon; he gave over the kerem (vineyard) unto caretakers; each had to pay a thousand pieces of kesef for the p’ri (fruit) thereof.

¹² My kerem (vineyard), which is mine, is at my own disposal [see 7:13 (12)]; thou, O Sh’lomo, the thousand are for thee, and two hundred for those that tend the p’ri thereof!

¹³ Thou that dwellest in the ganim (gardens), the chaverim are listening for thy voice; cause me to hear it.

¹⁴ Make haste, dodi (my beloved), and be thou like to a gazelle or a young deer upon the mountains where spices grow.

1 Now it came to pass in the yamim when HaShofetim (the Judges) ruled, that there was a ra’av (famine) in the land. And a certain ish (man) of Beit-Lechem Yehudah went to sojourn in the sadei Moav, he, and his isha (wife), and his two banim (sons).

² And the shem (name) of the ish (man) was Elimelech, and the shem (name) of his isha (wife) Naomi, and the shem of his two banim Machlon and Kilyon, Ephrathites of Beit-Lechem Yehudah. And they came into the sadei Moav, and continued there.

³ And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left (alive) and her two banim.

⁴ And they took them wives of the nashim (women) of Moav; the shem (name) of the one was Orpah, and the shem (name) of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about eser shanim (ten years).

⁵ And Machlon and Kilyon died also both of them; and the isha was left (alive), surviving with neither her yeladim nor her ish.

⁶ Then she arose with her kallot, that she might make teshuvah (return) from the sadei Moav: for in the sadeh of Moav she had heard how that Hashem had visited His people in giving them lechem (bread).

⁷ Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two kallot with her; and they set on the derech (way, road) to make teshuvah (return) unto Eretz Yehudah.

⁸ And Naomi said unto her two kallot, Go, go back each to her beis em (mother’s house): may Hashem show chesed (lovingkindness) to you, as ye have dealt with hamesim (the dead ones), and with me.

⁹ Hashem grant you that ye may find menuchah (resting place), each of you in the bais of her ish. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

¹⁰ And they said unto her, Surely we will make teshuvah (return) with thee unto thy people.

¹¹ And Naomi said, Turn back, my banot; why will ye go with me? Are there yet any more banim in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

¹² Turn back, my banot, go your way; for I am too old to have an ish. If I should say, I have tikvah, if I should have an ish halailah (tonight), and should also bear banim,

¹³ Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? Would ye stay from having ba’alim (husbands) for them? Nay, my banot; for it is more mar (bitter) for me than you, for the Yad Hashem has gone out against me.

¹⁴ And they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpah kissed [cf Mt 26:49] her chamot; but Ruth clung unto her.

¹⁵ And she said, Hinei, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her g-ds; return thou after thy sister-inlaw.

¹⁶ And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy G-d shall be Elohai;

¹⁷ Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried. Hashem do so to me, and more also, if anything but HaMavet part thee and me.

¹⁸ When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left urging her.

¹⁹ So they two went until they came to Beit-Lechem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beit-Lechem, that kol ha’ir (all the town) was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

²⁰ And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi [Pleasant], call me Mara [Bitter]; for Shaddai hath dealt very bitterly with me.

²¹ I went away full and Hashem hath brought me back empty; why then call me Naomi, seeing Hashem hath testified against me, and Shaddai hath made me very bitter?

²² So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her kallah, with her, which returned out of the sadei Moav; and they came to Beit-Lechem in the beginning of katzir seorim (barley harvest).

2 And Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, an ish gibbor chayil, of the mishpochah of Elimelech; and shmo was Boaz.

² And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the sadeh, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I shall find chen (grace, favor). And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

³ And she went, and came, and gleaned in the sadeh behind the kotzerim (harvesters, reapers); and it so happened that she came on a part of the sadeh belonging unto Boaz, who was of the mishpochah of Elimelech.

⁴ And, hinei, Boaz came from Beit-Lechem, and said unto the kotzerim, Hashem be with you. And they answered him, Yevarech’chah Adonoi (Hashem bless thee).

⁵ Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the kotzerim, Whose na’arah is this?

⁶ And the servant that was set over the kotzerim answered and said, It is the na’arah from Moav that came back with Naomi out of the sadeh of Moav.

⁷ And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the kotzerim among the omarim (sheaves); so she came, and hath worked steadily from the boker even until now, except for a short rest in the bais.

⁸ Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another sadeh, neither go from hence, but abide here close by my ne’arot;

⁹ Let thine eyes be on the sadeh that they do reap, and go thou after them; have I not charged the ne’arim that they shall not touch thee? And when thou art athirst, go unto the kelim (vessels), and drink of that which the ne’arim have drawn.

¹⁰ Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found chen (favor, grace) in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a nokhriyah (foreigner, alien)?

¹¹ And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shown me, all that thou hast done unto thy chamot since the mot (death) of thine ish; and how thou hast left thy av and thy em, and the eretz moledet, and art come unto an Am (people) which thou knewest not heretofore.

¹² Hashem recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of Hashem Elohei Yisroel, under Whose wings thou art come to seek refuge.

¹³ Then she said, Let me find chen (favor, grace) in thy sight, adoni; for that thou hast brought nachamah (comfort) to me, and for that thou hast spoken to the lev of thine shifcha, though I be not like unto one of thine shfakhot.

¹⁴ And Boaz said unto her, At et haokhel (mealtime) come thou hither, and eat of the lechem, and dip thy morsel in the chometz. And she sat beside the kotzerim; and he offered her roasted grain, and she did eat, and was filled, and had left over [shirayim].

¹⁵ And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his ne’arim, saying, Let her glean even among the omarim, and reproach her not;

¹⁶ And let fall also some [out from the omarim] of the handfuls on purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

¹⁷ So she gleaned in the sadeh until the erev, and she threshed what she had gleaned; and it was about an ephah of seorim.

¹⁸ And she took it up, and went into the town; and her chamot saw what she had gleaned; and she brought forth, and gave to her the left over [shirayim] after she had been filled.

¹⁹ And her chamot said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned hayom (today)? And where did you work? Baruch be he who did take knowledge of thee. And she showed her chamot with whom she had worked, and said, Shem HaIsh with whom I worked hayom (today) is Boaz.

²⁰ And Naomi said unto her kallah, Baruch hu l’Hashem asher lo azav chasdo et haChayyim v’et haMesim (Blessed be he of Hashem who hath not abandoned his chesed to the living and to the dead). And Naomi said unto her, The man is karov unto us. MiGoaleinu hu (he is one of our kinsmen redeemers).

²¹ And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep close by my ne’arim, until they have ended kol HaKatzir that is mine.

²² And Naomi said unto Ruth her kallah, It is tov, my daughter, that thou go out with his ne’arot, because in someone else’s sadeh you might be harmed.

²³ So she kept close by the ne’arot of Boaz to glean unto the end of katzir haseorim and of katzir chittim; and dwelt with her chamot.

3 Then Naomi her chamot said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek manoach (a resting place) for thee, that it may be well with thee?

² And now is not Boaz our relative, with whose ne’arot thou wast? Hinei, he winnoweth haseorim halailah in the threshing floor.

³ Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing floor; but make not thyself known unto the Ish, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

⁴ And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the makom (place) where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

⁵ And she said unto her, Kol that thou sayest unto me I will do.

⁶ And she went down unto the threshing floor, and did according to kol that her chamot bade her.

⁷ And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his lev was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

⁸ And it came to pass in the middle of the night, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, hinei, an isha lay at his feet!

⁹ And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid; spread therefore thy robe over thine amah (handmaid); for thou art a Go’el (Redeemer).

¹⁰ And he said, Berukhah at laHashem, my daughter; for thou hast showed more chesed in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not the bochurim, whether poor or rich.

¹¹ And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest; for kol sha’ar ami doth have da’as that thou art an aishes chayil (virtuous woman, Prov 31).

¹² And now it is true that I am thy Go’el; howbeit there is a Go’el karov mimeini (Redeemer nearer than I).

¹³ Tarry this night, and it shall be in the boker, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a Go’el, well; let him do the Go’el’s part; let him redeem you. But if he will not do the part of a Go’el to thee, then will I do the part of a Go’el to thee, as Hashem liveth. Lie down until HaBoker.

¹⁴ And she lay at his feet until HaBoker; and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that an isha came into the threshing floor.

¹⁵ Also he said, Bring the mitpachat (shawl) that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of seorim (barley) and laid it on her; and she went into the town.

¹⁶ And when she came to her chamot, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that HaIsh had done to her.

¹⁷ And she said, These six measures of seorim gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty-handed unto thy chamot (mother-in-law).

¹⁸ Then said she, Wait, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall; for HaIsh will not rest until the matter is settled HaYom.

4 Then went Boaz up to the sha’ar, and sat him down there; and, hinei, the Go’el of whom Boaz spoke came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! Turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

² And he took a minyan of the zekenim of the town, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.

³ And he said unto the Go’el, Naomi, that is come again out of the sadeh of Moav, selleth a share of sadeh, which was achinu (our brother) Elimelech’s;

⁴ And I thought to advise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the zekenim of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it; but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

⁵ Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the sadeh of the hand of Naomi, thou must acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the eshet hamet (wife of the dead man), lahakim (to raise up, resurrect) the shem hamet upon his nachalah (inheritance).

⁶ And the Go’el said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own nachalah; redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

⁷ Now this was the manner in former time in Yisroel concerning the geulah (redemption) and concerning the temurah (the substitute, exchange), for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his sandal, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was an attestation in Yisroel.

⁸ Therefore the Go’el said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his sandal.

⁹ And Boaz said unto the zekenim, and unto kol haAm, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Kilyon’s and Machlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.

¹⁰ Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Machlon, have I purchased to be my wife, lahakim (to raise up, resurrect) the shem hamet (name of the dead man) upon his nachalah, that the shem of the dead man be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the sha’ar of his place; ye are edim (witnesses) HaYom.

¹¹ And kol HaAm that were in the sha’ar, and the zekenim, said, We are edim. Hashem make the isha haba’ah (the woman coming, see Gn 3:15; Isa 7:14) into thine bais [i.e. Bais Dovid] like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the Bais Yisroel; and do thou worthily in Ephrat, and be famous in Beit-Lechem;

¹² And let thy bais be like the bais of Peretz, whom Tamar bore unto Yehudah, of the zera (Bereshis 22:18; Ga 3:16) which Hashem shall give thee of this na’arah.

¹³ So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his isha; and when he went in unto her, Hashem gave her conception, and she bore ben [see Isa 7:14].

¹⁴ And the nashim said unto Naomi, Baruch Hashem, which hath not left thee this yom without a Go’el. May shmo be famous in Yisroel.

¹⁵ And may he restore your nefesh and be a nourisher of thine old age; for thy kallah, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than shiva banim, hath born him.

¹⁶ And Naomi took the yeled, and laid him in her kheyk (bosom), and became omenet (nurse) unto it.

¹⁷ And the women her shchenim gave him a name, saying, There is a ben born to Naomi; and they called his name Oved; he is the father of Yishai, the father of Dovid.

¹⁸ Now these are the toldot of Peretz; Peretz fathered Chetzron,

¹⁹ And Chetzron fathered Ram, and Ram fathered Amminadav,

²⁰ And Amminadav fathered Nachshon, and Nachshon fathered Salmon,

²¹ And Salmon fathered Boaz, and Boaz fathered Oved,

²² And Oved fathered Yishai, and Yishai fathered Dovid.

1 How doth HaIr (the city, Yerushalayim) sit solitary, that was full of people! How is she become like an almanah (widow)! She that was great among the Goyim, and sarah (princess) among the provinces, how is she become a forced laborer!

² She weepeth bitterly in the lailah (night), and her tears are on her cheeks; among all her lovers she hath no Menachem (comforter); all her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.

³ Yehudah is gone into the Golus (Exile) under affliction, and under great avodah (servitude); she dwelleth among the Goyim; she findeth no manoach (rest); all her rodefim (persecutors) overtook her in dire straits.

⁴ The darkhei Tziyon (approaches to Tziyon) do mourn, because none come to mo’ed (set feasts); all her she’arim (gates) are desolate; her kohanim sigh, her betulot (virgins) are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.

⁵ Her adversaries are now the rosh (supreme, master); her enemies prosper; for Hashem hath afflicted her because of the multitude of her peysha’im (transgressions); her olalim (little children) are gone into captivity before the enemy.

⁶ And from Bat Tziyon all her beauty has departed; her sarim (princes) are become like deer that find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the rodef (persecutor, pursuer).

⁷ In the yamim (days) of her affliction and of her persecutions, Yerushalayim remembers all her pleasant things that she had miymei kedem (in the days of old), when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and there was no ozer (helper) for her; the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her downfall.

⁸ Yerushalayim hath grievously sinned; therefore she is niddah (unclean, Jewish woman’s untouchability during menstruation; Vayikra 15:19); all that honored her despise her, because they have seen her erom (nakedness); yea, she sigheth, and turneth away for shame.

⁹ Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her latter end; therefore she sank appallingly; she had no Menachem (comforter). O Hashem, behold my affliction; for the enemy hath triumphed.

¹⁰ The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her precious things; for she hath seen how the Goyim entered into her [Beis] Hamikdash, whom Thou didst command that they should not enter into Thy Kahal (congregation, community).

¹¹ All her people sigh, they seek lechem; they have given their precious things for bread to revive the nefesh; see, O Hashem, and consider that I am become despised.

¹² Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Consider, and see if there be any sorrow like my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith Hashem hath afflicted me in the Yom Charon Af (day of His fierce anger).

¹³ From above hath He sent eish into my atzamot (bones), and it prevaileth against them; He hath spread a net for my feet, He hath turned me back; He hath made me desolate and kol hayom (ever) languishing.

¹⁴ The yoke of my peysha’im hath been fastened by His hand; they [i.e., my sins] intertwine themselves and set upon my tzavar (neck); He hath made my strength to fall; Hashem hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.

¹⁵ Hashem hath taken away all my strong ones in my midst; He hath proclaimed a mo’ed (set time) against me to crush my young men; Hashem hath trodden the winepress for the Betulat Bat Yehudah.

¹⁶ For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with mayim, because the Menachem (comforter) that should refresh my nefesh is far from me; my children are desolate, because the enemy hath prevailed.

¹⁷ Tziyon stretcheth forth her hands, yet there is no Menachem (comforter) for her; Hashem hath commanded concerning Ya’akov, that his adversaries should be round about him; Yerushalayim is as a niddah (menstruous woman) among them.

¹⁸ Tzaddik is Hashem; for I have rebelled against His mouth; hear, I pray you, kol amim (all people), and behold my sorrow; my betulot and my bochurim are gone into captivity.

¹⁹ I called for my lovers, but they have deceived me; my kohanim and my zekenim gave up the ghost (i.e., expired) in HaIr (the City), while they sought okhel (food) to revive their nefashot.

²⁰ Consider, O Hashem how I am in distress; my bowels are troubled; mine lev is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled; without (i.e., outside), the cherev (sword) bereaveth, within (i.e., babayit, at home) it is like mavet (death).

²¹ They have heard that I sigh; there is no Menachem (comforter); all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that Thou hast done it; Thou bringest the Yom Karata (the day that Thou has proclaimed), that they (all the peoples; see 1:18) may be like me.

²² Let all their wickedness come before Thee; and do unto them, as Thou hast done unto me for all my peysha’im; for my sighs are many, and my lev is faint.

2 How hath Adonoi covered Bat Tziyon with a cloud in His anger, and hurled down from Shomayim unto Eretz the tiferet Yisroel, and remembered not His hadom (footstool) in the Day of His Wrath!

² Adonoi hath swallowed up all the habitations of Ya’akov, and hath not pitied; He hath torn down in His Wrath the strongholds of Bat Yehudah; He hath brought them down to the ground; chillel (He hath defiled) the mamlachah and the sarim (princes) thereof.

³ He hath cut off in His fierce anger kol keren Yisroel; He hath drawn back His right hand from before the oyev, and He burned against Ya’akov like a flaming eish, which devoureth all around.

⁴ He hath bent His keshet (bow) like an oyev; He took His stand with His right hand as an adversary, and slaughtered all that were pleasant to the eye in the ohel Bat Tziyon; He poured out His fury like eish.

⁵ Adonoi was like an oyev; He hath swallowed up Yisroel, He hath swallowed up all her armonot (palaces); He hath destroyed His strongholds, and hath increased in Bat Yehudah mourning and lamentation.

⁶ And He hath violently destroyed His sukkah, as if it were of a gan (garden); He hath laid waste His Mo’ed; Hashem hath caused Mo’ed and Shabbos to be forgotten in Tziyon, and in the indignation of His anger hath spurned Melech and Kohen.

⁷ Adonoi hath cast off His Mizbe’ach, He hath disowned His Mikdash, He hath given up into the yad oyev the chomot armonot of hers; they have raised shouts in the Beis Hashem, as in the Yom Mo’ed.

⁸ Hashem hath purposed to destroy the Chomat Bat Tziyon; He hath stretched out a measuring line, He hath not withdrawn His hand from destroying; therefore He made the rampart and the chomah to lament; they languished together.

⁹ Her she’arim are sunk into the ground; He hath destroyed and broken her bars; her melech and her sarim (princes) are among the Goyim; the torah is no more; her nevi’im also find no chazon (vision) from Hashem.

¹⁰ The Ziknei Bat Tziyon sit upon the ground, and keep silence; they have cast up aphar upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth; the Betulot Yerushalayim hang down their heads to the ground.

¹¹ Mine eyes do fail from weepings, my insides are troubled, empty and poured upon ha’aretz, for the destruction of Bat Ami; because the olel and the infant swoon in the rechovot of the city.

¹² They say to their imahot, Where is grain and yayin? Say they when they swooned like the wounded in the rechovot Ir, when their nefesh ebbed away into the kheyk imahot of them.

¹³ What thing shall I say to thee? What thing shall I liken to thee, O Bat Yerushalayim? What shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O Betulat Bat Tziyon? For thy shever (destruction) is as gadol as the yam. Who can heal thee?

¹⁴ Thy nevi’im have seen false and worthless visions for thee; and they have not exposed thine avon, to ward off thy captivity; but have seen for thee mase’ot shav and madduchim (false and misleading burdens, oracles).

¹⁵ All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at Bat Yerushalayim, saying, Is this the Ir that men call Kelilat Yofi Masos L’Khol HaAretz (perfection in beauty, the joy of the whole earth)?

¹⁶ All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee; they hiss and gnash their teeth; they say, We have swallowed her up; certainly this is the Yom that we waited for; we have found, we have seen it.

¹⁷ Hashem hath done that which He had devised; He hath fulfilled His word that He decreed in the yemai kedem; He hath overthrown, and hath not pitied, and He hath caused thine oyev to gloat over thee, He hath exalted the keren of thine adversaries.

¹⁸ Their lev cried unto Adonoi, O Chomat Bat Tziyon, let tears run down like a river yomam valailah; give thyself no relief; let not thine eye rest.

¹⁹ Arise, cry out balailah; in the beginning of the night watches pour out thine lev like mayim before the face of Adonoi; lift up thy hands to Him for the nefesh of thy ollelim, that faint for hunger on every street corner.

²⁰ Look, Hashem, and consider to whom Thou hast done this. Shall the nashim eat their offspring, the children they have cared for? Shall the Kohen and the Navi be slain in the Mikdash Adonoi?

²¹ The na’ar and the zaken lie in the dust of the streets; my betulot and my bochurim are fallen by the cherev; Thou hast slain them in the Day of Thy Wrath; Thou hast slaughtered, and not pitied.

²² Thou hast summoned as in a Yom Mo’ed my terrors all around, so that in the Yom Af Hashem none escaped nor remained; those that I have swaddled and reared hath mine oyev consumed.

3 I am the gever that hath seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.

² He hath driven me away, and brought me into choshech, but not into ohr.

³ Surely against me is He turned; He turneth His yad against me kol hayom.

⁴ My basar and my ohr (skin) hath He made old; He hath broken my atzmot.

⁵ He hath set up seigeworks against me, and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.

⁶ He hath set me in dark places, like the mesei olam (long dead).

⁷ He hath hedged me about, that I cannot escape; He hath made my chain heavy.

⁸ Also when I cry and call out, He shutteth out my tefillah.

⁹ He hath barred my ways with hewn stone, He hath made my paths crooked.

¹⁰ He was unto me like a dov (bear) lying in wait, and like an aryeh in mistarim (hiding places).

¹¹ He hath turned aside the darkhei of mine, and pulled me in pieces; He hath made me desolate.

¹² He hath bent His keshet, and set me as a target for the khetz (arrow).

¹³ He hath caused the arrows of His quiver to enter into my organs.

¹⁴ I was a derision to kol ami; and their [mocking] song kol hayom.

¹⁵ He hath filled me with merorim (bitter herbs); He hath made me drunk with suffering.

¹⁶ He hath also broken my teeth with gravel, He hath covered me with aphar.

¹⁷ And Thou hast removed my nefesh far off from shalom; I forgot tovah (prosperity).

¹⁸ And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from Hashem;

¹⁹ Remember mine oni (affliction) and my misery, the sorrow and the trouble.

²⁰ My nefesh hath them still in remembrance, and is downcast in me.

²¹ This I recall to my lev, therefore have I hope:

²² Because of the chasdei Hashem we are not consumed, for His rachamim fail not.

²³ They are chadashim every boker; great is Thy faithfulness.

²⁴ Hashem is my chelek, saith my nefesh; therefore in hope will I wait for Him.

²⁵ Hashem is tov unto them that wait for Him, to the nefesh that seeketh Him.

²⁶ It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the Teshu’at Hashem.

²⁷ It is tov for a gever that he bear the ol (yoke) from his youth.

²⁸ He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because He hath laid it upon him.

²⁹ He putteth his mouth in the aphar; there may yet be tikvah.

³⁰ He offereth his lekhi (cheek) to him that striketh him; he is filled full with reproach [Isa 50:6].

³¹ For Adonoi will not cast off l’olam (forever);

³² But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the rov chasadav (the multitude of His mercies).

³³ For He doth not afflict willingly nor bring grief to Bnei Ish.

³⁴ To crush under His feet kol asirei eretz (all the prisoners of the earth),

³⁵ To turn aside the mishpat gever (the right of a man) before the face of Elyon,

³⁶ To subvert a man in his cause, Adonoi approveth not.

³⁷ Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when Adonoi commandeth it not?

³⁸ Out of the mouth of Elyon proceedeth not hara’ot (the woe) and hatov (the good)?

³⁹ Why doth an adam chai (any man alive) complain, a gever for the punishment of his sins?

⁴⁰ Let us search and test derakheinu (our ways), and let us turn again to Hashem.

⁴¹ Let us lift up levavenu (our heart) with our hands unto El baShomayim.

⁴² We have transgressed and have rebelled; Atah lo salachta (Thou hast not pardoned, forgiven).

⁴³ Thou hast covered with af (anger), and pursued us; Thou hast slain, Thou hast not pitied.

⁴⁴ Thou hast covered Thyself with an anan, that our tefillah not pass through.

⁴⁵ Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse among the amim.

⁴⁶ Kol oyveinu (all our enemies) have opened their mouths against us.

⁴⁷ Pachad (terror) and a snare is come upon us, ruin and destruction.

⁴⁸ Mine eye runneth down with streams of mayim for the destruction of Bat Ami.

⁴⁹ Mine eye will flow down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission

⁵⁰ Till Hashem look down, and behold from Shomayim.

⁵¹ Mine eye affecteth mine nefesh because of all the banot of my city.

⁵² Mine enemies hunted me down, like a tzippor (bird), without cause.

⁵³ They have cut off my life in the bor (pit) and cast an even (stone) upon me.

⁵⁴ Mayim flowed over mine rosh; then I said, I am cut off.

⁵⁵ I called upon Thy Shem, Hashem, out of the lowest pit.

⁵⁶ Thou hast heard my voice; close not thine ear at my sighing, at my cry.

⁵⁷ Thou drewest near on the Yom that I called upon Thee; Thou saidst, Fear not.

⁵⁸ Adonoi, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my nefesh; Thou hast redeemed my life.

⁵⁹ Hashem, Thou hast seen my wrong; uphold my cause.

⁶⁰ Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their machsh’vot against me.

⁶¹ Thou hast heard their reproach, Hashem, and all their machsh’vot against me;

⁶² The whisperings of those that rose up against me, and their muttering against me kol hayom.

⁶³ Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; Ani (I) am their mocking song.

⁶⁴ Render unto them a gemul (recompence), Hashem, according to the work of their hands.

⁶⁵ Give them hardness of lev as thy curse unto them.

⁶⁶ Pursue in anger and destroy them from under HaShomayim of Hashem.

4 How has the zahav lost its luster! How is the most fine gold changed! The avnei kodesh are poured out on every street corner.

² The precious Bnei Tziyon, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the yotzer (potter)!

³ Even the jackals offer the breast; they nurse their young ones; the Bat Ami is become heartless, like the ostriches in the midbar.

⁴ The leshon of the nursing infant cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst; the olalim beg for lechem, and no man giveth it unto them.

⁵ They that did feed delicately are destitute in the chutzot; they that were brought up in purple lie on dunghills.

⁶ For the punishment of the iniquity of the Bat Ami is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands helped her.

⁷ Her nobles were purer than snow; they were whiter than cholov, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their appearance was of sapphire;

⁸ Their visage is blacker than soot; they are not known in the streets; their skin cleaveth to their atzmot; it is dried up, it is become like a stick.

⁹ They that are slain with the cherev are better than they that are slain with hunger; for these pine away, being pierced for want of the increase of the sadeh.

¹⁰ The hands of the pitiful nashim have cooked their own yeladim; they were their meat in the destruction of the Bat Ami.

¹¹ Hashem hath accomplished His fury; He hath poured out His charon af, and hath kindled an eish in Tziyon, and it hath devoured the yesodot thereof.

¹² The malkhei eretz, and all the inhabitants of the tevel (world), would not have believed that the adversary and the oyev should have entered into the sha’arei Yerushalayim.

¹³ For the sins of her Nevi’im, and the iniquities of her Kohanim, that have shed the dahm of the Tzaddikim in the midst of her,

¹⁴ They have groped about like ivrim (blind men) in the streets; they have defiled themselves with dahm, so that men dare not touch their garments.

¹⁵ They cried unto them, Go away; tamei (unclean)! Depart, depart, touch not; so they fled away and wandered. They said among the Goyim, They shall no more sojourn there.

¹⁶ The anger of Hashem hath scattered them; He will no more regard them; they respected not the persons of the Kohanim; they showed no favor to the Zekenim.

¹⁷ As for us, our eyes failed looking in vain for ezratenu (our help); from our towers we have watched for a nation that could not save us.

¹⁸ They stalk our steps, that we cannot go in our streets; kitzeinu (our end) is near, our yamim are numbered; for kitzeinu is come.

¹⁹ Our pursuers are swifter than the eagles of Shomayim; they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the midbar.

²⁰ The Moshiach of Hashem, who was our very life, was taken in their traps, of whom we said, Under his shadow [of protection] we shall live among the Goyim.

²¹ Rejoice and be glad, O Bat Edom, that dwellest in Eretz Uz; the kos (cup) also shall pass unto thee; thou shalt be drunk, and shalt be stripped naked.

²² The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O Bat Tziyon; He will no more prolong your Golus; He will visit thine iniquity, O Bat Edom; He will expose thy sins.

5 Remember, Hashem, what is come upon us; consider, and behold our reproach.

² Our nachalah is turned over to zarim, our batim (houses) to foreigners.

³ We are yetomim and fatherless, immoteinu are like almanot.

⁴ We must pay kesef for our own mayim; our wood is sold unto us.

⁵ Our necks are under persecution; we are weary, and have no rest.

⁶ We have submitted to the Mitzrayim, and to the Assyrians, to get enough lechem.

⁷ Avoteinu have sinned, and are no more; and we have borne their iniquities.

⁸ Avadim have ruled over us; there is none that doth deliver us out of their yad.

⁹ We get our lechem with the peril of our lives because of the cherev of the midbar.

¹⁰ Our skin was hot like an oven because we burn with ra’av (hunger, famine).

¹¹ They ravished the nashim in Tziyon, and the betulot in the towns of Yehudah.

¹² Sarim (princes) are hanged by their yad; the faces of Zekenim were not respected.

¹³ They took the bochurim to grind, and the ne’arim staggered under the wood.

¹⁴ The zekenim have ceased from the sha’ar, the bochurim from their music.

¹⁵ The joy of our heart is gone; mekholeinu (our dance) is turned into mourning.

¹⁶ The ateret is fallen from our head; woe unto us, for we have sinned!

¹⁷ For this our lev is faint; because of these things our eyes are dim.

¹⁸ Because of the Har Tziyon, which is desolate, the jackals prowl upon it.

¹⁹ Thou, Hashem, remainest forever;Thy throne from generation to generation.

²⁰ Why dost Thou forget us forever, and forsake us for so long?

²¹ Restore us, Hashem, to Thyself that we may return; renew yamenu (our days) as of old.

²² Unless Thou hast utterly rejected us and Thou art angry with us beyond measure.

1 Divrei Kohelet, Ben Dovid, Melech in Yerushalayim.

² Hevel havalim, saith Kohelet, hevel havalim; all is hevel.

³ What profit hath a man from all his amal (toil) which he hath toiled under the shemesh?

⁴ Dor v’dor, generations come and go, passing away; but ha’aretz remaineth l’olam.

⁵ The shemesh also ariseth, and the shemesh goeth down, and hasteth to its place, there to arise again.

⁶ The ruach (wind) goeth toward the darom (south), and turneth about unto the tzafon (north); it whirleth about continually, and the ruach returneth again according to its circuits.

⁷ All the neharot (rivers) run into the yam; yet the yam is not full; unto the place from whence the neharot come, thither they return to go again.

⁸ All things are wearisome; no ish can express it; the ayin is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ozen full with hearing.

⁹ The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done; and there is nothing chadash under the shemesh.

¹⁰ Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is chadash? L’olamim (ages ago), which were before us, it hath been already.

¹¹ There is no zichron (remembrance) of former things; neither shall there be with those who come after any zikaron (recollection) of things that are to come.

¹² I, Kohelet, was Melech over Yisroel in Yerushalayim.

¹³ And I set my lev to seek and search out by chochmah concerning all things that are done under Shomayim; what grievous task hath Elohim given to the bnei haAdam to be afflicted therewith.

¹⁴ I have seen all the ma’asim that are done under the shemesh; and, hinei, all is hevel and chasing after ruach (wind).

¹⁵ That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and chesron (that which is lacking) cannot be numbered.

¹⁶ I communed with mine own lev, saying, Hinei, I am come to greatness, even greater chochmah than all they that have been before me over Yerushalayim; yea, my lev had great experience of chochmah and da’as.

¹⁷ And I applied my lev to have da’as of chochmah, and to have da’as of holelot (madness) and sichlut (folly); I perceived that this also is striving after ruach (wind).

¹⁸ For in much chochmah (wisdom) is much ka’as (grief, vexation); and he that increaseth da’as increaseth mach’ov (sorrow).

2 I said in mine lev, Come now, I will test thee with simchah, therefore enjoy tov; and, hinei, this also is hevel.

² I said of laughter, It is mad; and of simchah, What doeth it accomplish?

³ I searched in mine lev to draw my basar on with yayin, my mind guiding me with chochmah; and to lay hold on sichlut (folly), till I might see what was tov for bnei haAdam, which they should do under Shomayim all the few days of their life.

⁴ I undertook me great works; I built me batim (houses); I planted me kramim (vineyards);

⁵ I made me ganot (gardens) and parks, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them;

⁶ I made me reservoirs of mayim, to water therewith the forest of trees tzomeiach (sprouting up);

⁷ I bought me avadim and shfakhot, and had bnei bayit (avadim born in my bais); also I had great possessions of herds and tzon more than all that were in Yerushalayim before me;

⁸ I amassed for me also kesef and zahav, and the treasure of melachim and of the provinces; I acquired for me men singers and women singers, and the delights of bnei haAdam, musical instruments of all kinds.

⁹ So I was great, and excelled more than all that were before me in Yerushalayim; also my chochmah remained with me.

¹⁰ And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my lev from any simchah; for my lev rejoiced in all my amal (labor); and this was my chelek (portion) for all my amal.

¹¹ Then I looked on kol ma’asim that my hands had wrought, and on the amal that I had labored to do; and, hinei, all was hevel and chasing after ruach, and there was no profit under the shemesh.

¹² And I turned myself to consider chochmah, and holelot, and sichlut; for what can the adam do who cometh after HaMelech? Even that which hath been done already.

¹³ Then I saw that chochmah excelleth sichlut, as far as ohr excelleth choshech.

¹⁴ The chacham (wise man) hath eyes in his rosh; but the kesil (fool) walketh in choshech; but I myself perceived also that the same mikreh (fortune) happeneth to them all.

¹⁵ Then said I in my lev, As the mikreh befalls the kesil, so also will the same mikreh befall me; and wherein have I then been of more chochmah? Then I said in my lev, This also is hevel.

¹⁶ For no zichron (remembrance) of the chacham—-no less the kesil—remains l’olam; seeing that in hayamim haba’im (the days to come) all shall be forgotten. How can the chacham die just like the kesil?

¹⁷ Therefore I hated HaChayyim (Life); because the ma’aseh that is wrought under the shemesh is grievous unto me; for all is hevel and chasing after ruach.

¹⁸ Yea, I hated all my amal for which I had toiled under the shemesh; because I must leave it unto the adam that shall occupy my place after me.

¹⁹ And who hath da’as whether he shall be a chacham or a kesil? Nevertheless shall he have shlitah (control, authority) over all my amal for which I have toiled, and have poured out my chochmah under the shemesh. This also is hevel.

²⁰ Therefore I turned aside to give up my lev to despair over all the wearisome amal with which I toiled under the shemesh.

²¹ For there is an adam whose amal is with chochmah, and da’as, and kishron (skill); yet to an adam that hath not worked for it he must leave it for his chelek. This also is hevel and a ra’ah rabbah.

²² For what hath adam for all his amal, and for all the striving of his lev, wherein he hath labored under the shemesh?

²³ For all his yamim are machovim (sorrows), and his travail ka’as (grief, vexation); yea, his lev taketh not rest balailah. This also is hevel.

²⁴ There is nothing better for adam, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his nefesh find satisfaction in his amal. Also this I saw; even this was from the Yad HaElohim.

²⁵ For who can eat, or who can find enjoyment without Hashem?

²⁶ For to the adam that is pleasing in His sight, Hashem gives chochmah, and da’as, and simchah; but to the choteh (sinner) Hashem giveth travail; Hashem giveth the work of gathering and storing up, that Hashem may give to him that pleases HaElohim. This also is hevel and chasing after ruach.

3 To every thing there is a zeman (time), and an et (season) for every matter under Shomayim;

² An et (season) to be born, and an et (season) to die; an et (season) to plant, and an et (season) to uproot that which is planted;

³ An et (season) to kill, and an et (season) to heal; an et (season) to tear down, and an et (season) to build up;

⁴ An et (season) to weep, and an et (season) to laugh; an et (season) to mourn, and an et (season) to dance;

⁵ An et (season) to throw stones away, and an et (season) to gather stones together; an et (season) to embrace, and an et (season) to refrain from embracing;

⁶ An et (season) to look for, and an et (season) to lose; an et (season) to keep, and an et (season) to throw away;

⁷ An et (season) to tear, and an et (season) to mend; an et (season) to keep silent, and an et (season) to speak;

⁸ An et (season) to love, and an et (season) to hate; an et (season) of milchamah, and an et (season) of shalom.

⁹ What profit hath the worker from his amal (labor)?

¹⁰ I have seen the occupation, which Elohim hath given to the bnei HaAdam to keep them occupied.

¹¹ Hashem hath made every thing yafeh in its et (season); also He hath set HaOlam in their lev, yet so that no adam can find out the ma’aseh that HaElohim hath done from the beginning to the end.

¹² I have da’as that there is nothing better for adam, than that they have simchah and do tov while they live.

¹³ And also that kol haAdam should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his amal. This is a gift of Elohim.

¹⁴ I have da’as that, all that HaElohim doeth will endure l’olam; nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it; HaElohim doeth it, that men should fear before Him.

¹⁵ That which is hath been already; and that which is to be hath already been; and HaElohim will call that which is past to account.

¹⁶ And moreover I saw under the shemesh that in the Mekom Mishpat (place of judgment) resha (wickedness) was there; and in the Mekom Tzedek, resha (wickedness) was there.

¹⁷ I said in mine lev, HaElohim shall judge the tzaddik and the resha (wicked); for an et (season) for every matter and for every ma’aseh is there.

¹⁸ I said in mine lev, As for bnei haAdam, HaElohim tests them, that they might see that they themselves are like beheimah.

¹⁹ For bnei haAdam and beheimah share one and same mikreh (fortune); as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that the adam hath no advantage above the beheimah; for all is hevel.

²⁰ All go unto mekom echad; all are of the afahr (dust), and all return to the afahr again.

²¹ Who hath da’as of the ruach bnei haAdam that goeth upward, and the ruach habeheimah that goeth downward to ha’aretz [see 12:7]?

²² Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better than that the adam find simchah in his ma’asim; for that is his chelek; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

4 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the shemesh, and, hinei, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no menachem (comforter); and on the side of their oppressors there was ko’ach (power); but they had no menachem (comforter).

² Wherefore I praised the mesim which are already dead more than the living ones which are yet alive.

³ Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the ma’aseh harah that is done under the shemesh.

⁴ Again, I considered all amal, and every kishron hama’aseh (skillful achievement), that such is a simple derivative of kinat ish meirei’eihu (the envy of man of his neighbor). This also is hevel, a chasing after ruach.

⁵ The kesil foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own basar.

⁶ Better is a handful with tranquility than both the hands full with amal and chasing after ruach.

⁷ Then I returned, and I saw under the shemesh this hevel:

⁸ There was a man all alone, and there was with him neither ben nor ach (brother); yet there was no ketz (end) to all his amal; neither was his ayin satisfied with osher (riches); neither saith he, For whom do I toil, and deprive my nefesh of tovah? This also is hevel, yea, it is an evil matter.

⁹ Two are better than one because they have a sachar tov for their amal.

¹⁰ For if they fall, the echad will lift up his partner, but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

¹¹ Also, if two lie down, then they have chom (heat), but how can one be warm alone?

¹² Though echad may be overpowered, shnayim shall withstand him; and a khoot hameshulash (threefold cord) is not quickly broken.

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise yeled than an old and foolish melech, who will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of the bais hasohar he cometh to reign, although he was born a poor man in his malchut (kingdom).

¹⁵ I considered all the living ones which walk under the shemesh in the throng of the yeled, that is, the second one that shall enter into the place of the former [melech].

¹⁶ There is no ketz of kol haAm, all those at whose head he stands; and yet they who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is hevel and striving for ruach.

5 ^(4:17) Keep thy footing when thou goest to the Bais HaElohim, and be more ready to listen than to give the zevach of kesilim, for they have no da’as that they do rah.

^2 (5:1) Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine lev be hasty to utter any thing before HaElohim; for HaElohim is in Shomayim, and thou upon ha’aretz; therefore let thy dvarim be few.

^3 (5:2) As by a multitude of cares cometh a chalom, so by a multitude of dvarim cometh the kol kesil (the voice of the fool).

^4 (5:3) When thou vowest a neder unto Elohim, defer not to pay it; for Hashem hath no pleasure in kesilim; pay that which thou hast vowed.

^5 (5:4) Better it is that thou shouldest not make a neder, than that thou shouldest vow and not fulfill the neder.

^6 (5:5) Suffer not thy mouth to lead thy basar into chet (sin); neither say thou before the Malach [of G-d], that it was a mistake. Wherefore should HaElohim be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

^7 (5:6) For in the multitude of chalomot and many dvarim there are also divers havalim [see 1:2]; but fear thou HaElohim.

^8 (5:7) If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of mishpat and tzedek in a province, marvel not at the matter; for he that is higher watches over him that is high; and there be higher than they.

^9 (5:8) Moreover the profit of eretz is for all; Melech himself is served by the sadeh.

^10 (5:9) He that loveth kesef shall never have enough kesef; nor shall he that loveth abundance have enough increase; this also is hevel.

^11 (5:10) When hatovah (good things) increase, they are increased that consume them; and what kishron (useful result) is there to the ba’al (owner) thereof, except as an onlooker?

^12 (5:11) The sleep of the oved (working man) is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the abundance of the oisher (rich man) will not permit him to sleep.

^13 (5:12) There is a grievous ra’ah which I have seen under the shemesh; osher (riches) hoarded by the ba’al thereof to his hurt;

^14 (5:13) The same osher (riches) perish by an evil event and he begetteth a ben; thus this one hath nothing in his hand.

^15 (5:14) As he came forth of the womb of his Em (mother), arom (naked) shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his amal (labor), which he may carry away in his hand.

^16 (5:15) And this also is a grievous evil, that in every respect as he came, just so shall he go; and what profit hath he that hath toiled for the ruach (wind)?

^17 (5:16) All his yamim also he eateth in choshech, and he hath much ka’as (grief, vexation) and sickness and anger.

^18 (5:17) Hinei I have seen it is tov and yafeh for one to eat and to drink, and to find tovah in all his amal (labor) that he toils under the shemesh all the few days of his life, which HaElohim giveth him; for it is his chelek.

^19 (5:18) Also kol ha’adam to whom HaElohim hath given osher and possessions, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his chelek, and to rejoice in his amal; this is the gift of Elohim.

^20 (5:19) For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because HaElohim keeps him occupied with simchat libbo (gladness of his heart).

6 There is a ra’ah which I have seen under the shemesh, and it is a great weight upon the adam;

² An ish to whom HaElohim hath given osher (riches), nekhasim (possessions), and kavod (honor), so that he wanteth nothing for his nefesh of all that he desireth, yet HaElohim giveth him not shlitah (empowerment) to have enjoyment thereof, but an ish nochri (stranger) hath the enjoyment thereof; this is hevel, and it is a grievous ill.

³ If an ish beget a hundredfold, and live shanim rabbot, so that rav be the yamim of his shanim, and his nefesh be not filled with hatovah, and also that he have no kevurah (grave); I say, that a nefel (stillborn) is better than he.

⁴ For he cometh in with hevel, and departeth in choshech, and shmo shall be shrouded with choshech.

⁵ Moreover though he hath not seen the shemesh, nor known any thing, this hath more nakhat (rest, quietness) than the other.

⁶ Yea, though he live an elef shanim twice over, yet hath he seen no tovah. Do not all go to mekom echad?

⁷ All the amal (labor) of haAdam is for his mouth, and yet the nefesh is not satisfied.

⁸ For what hath the chacham more than the kesil? What hath the poor man, who has da’as of how to conduct himself before the living?

⁹ Better what the eynayim see than the roving of the nefesh; this also is hevel and chasing after ruach.

¹⁰ That which is, its shem hath already been named, and it is known what adam shall be; neither may he contend with what is stronger than he.

¹¹ Seeing there be many things that increase hevel, what profit is there for adam?

¹² For who has da’as what is tov for adam in this life, all the few days of his chayyei hevel which he spendeth as a shadow? For who can tell adam what shall be after him under the shemesh?

7 A shem tov is better than precious ointment; and the yom hamavet than the day of one’s birth.

² It is better to go to the bais evel (house of mourning), than to go to the bais mishteh (house of feasting); for that is the sof (end, conclusion; see 12:13) of kol haAdam; and the living will take it to heart.

³ Ka’as (sorrow) is better than laughter; for sadness of the countenance is good for the lev.

⁴ The lev of chachamim is in the bais evel (house of mourning); but the lev of kesilim is in the bais simchah.

⁵ It is better to hear the rebuke of the chacham, than for an ish to hear the shir kesilim.

⁶ For as is the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the kesil; this also is hevel.

⁷ Surely oppression maketh a chacham mad; and a bribe corrupts the heart.

⁸ Better is the acharit (end) of a thing than the reshit (beginning) thereof; and erech ruach (patience) is better than gavoah ruach (haughtiness).

⁹ Be not hasty in thy ruach to be angry; for ka’as (anger) resteth in the kheyk (bosom) of kesilim.

¹⁰ Say thou not, What is the cause that the yamim harishonim were better than these? For it is not because of chochmah that thou dost inquire concerning this.

¹¹ Chochmah is better than a nachalah (inheritance); and by it there is an advantage to them that see the shemesh.

¹² For chochmah is a protective tzel (shade), and kesef is as well; but the advantage of da’as is, that chochmah giveth chayyim (life) to them that possess it.

¹³ Consider the ma’aseh HaElohim; for who can make straight what Hashem hath made crooked?

¹⁴ In the yom tovah be joyful, but in the yom ra’ah consider: HaElohim also hath set the one over against the other in such a way that adam may not find out anything that will come after him.

¹⁵ All things have I seen in the yamim of my hevel; there is a tzaddik that perisheth in his tzedakah, and there is a rasha that prolongeth his life in his ra’ah.

¹⁶ Do not be over much the tzaddik nor over much the chacham; why cause thyself desolation?

¹⁷ Be not over much resha, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou holdest fast to the one and withdrawest not thine hand from the other; for he is a yire Elohim (G-d fearer) who shall fulfill both.

¹⁹ Chochmah makes one chacham stronger than asarah shalitim (ten rulers) which are in the city.

²⁰ For there is not a tzaddik upon earth, that doeth tov, and sinneth not [Ro 3:23].

²¹ Also take no heed unto kol dvarim that are spoken; lest thou hear thy eved curse thee;

²² For oftentimes also thine own lev hath da’as that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

²³ I tested all this with chochmah; I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is far off, and exceeding deep, whose chochmah can find it out?

²⁵ I applied mine lev to have da’as, and to search, and to seek out chochmah, and the cheshbon (scheme, plan) of things, and to have da’as of resha (wickedness) of kesel (stupidity), even of sichlut (folly) and holelot (madness).

²⁶ And I find more mar (bitter) than mavet the isha, whose lev is snares and traps, and her hands are as chains; whoso pleaseth HaElohim shall escape from her; but the choteh (sinner) shall be ensnared by her.

²⁷ Look, this have I discovered, saith Kohelet, adding one point to another to find out the cheshbon (the scheme, plan of things);

²⁸ Which yet my nefesh seeketh, but I have not found; one man among a thousand have I found, but a woman among all those have I not found.

²⁹ Lo, this only have I found, that HaElohim hath made man yashar (upright, Gn 1:27); but they have sought out chishvonot rabbim (many schemes, Gn 3:6-7; Ps 51; Ro 5:12; 3:23).

8 Who is the chacham? And who knoweth the pesher (interpretation, explanation) of a thing? A man’s chochmah maketh his face bright, and the rudeness of his face is changed.

² I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that because of the shevuat Elohim (the oath of G-d).

³ Be not hasty to go out of his sight; stand not in a rah (an evil matter); for he executeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

⁴ For the devar melech is shilton (supreme), and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

⁵ Whoso is shomer mitzvah shall meet no harm; and a lev of a chacham discerneth both et (time) and mishpat (judgment).

⁶ Because every matter has its et (time) and mishpat (judgment), though the ra’at haAdam be great upon him.

⁷ For he has no da’as of that which shall be; for who can tell him how it will be?

⁸ There is no adam that hath power over the ruach to restrain ruach; neither hath he shilton (power) over the yom hamavet; and there is no discharge in war; neither shall resha deliver its possessor.

⁹ All this have I seen, and applied my lev unto every ma’aseh (labor, work) that has been done under the shemesh wherein one adam ruleth over another adam to the other’s hurt.

¹⁰ And so I saw the resha’im buried, who had come and gone out of the mekom kadosh (the holy place), and they were forgotten in the city where they had done such things; this is also hevel.

¹¹ Because pitgam (sentence) against a ma’aseh hara’ah (an evil work) is not executed speedily, therefore the lev of the bnei haAdam is fully set in them to do rah.

¹² Though a choteh do rah an hundred times, and his yamim be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear HaElohim, which fear before Hashem;

¹³ But it shall not be well with the rasha, neither shall he lengthen his yamim like a tzel (shadow); because he feareth not before Elohim.

¹⁴ There is a hevel which is done upon ha’aretz; that there be tzaddikim, unto whom it happeneth according to the ma’aseh haresha’im; again, there be resha’im, to whom it happeneth according to the ma’aseh hatzaddikim; I say that this also is hevel.

¹⁵ Then I commended simchah, because a man hath no better thing under the shemesh, than to eat, and to drink, and to have simchah; for that shall accompany him in his amal the yamim of his life, which HaElohim giveth him under the shemesh.

¹⁶ When I applied mine lev to have da’as of chochmah, and to see the business that is done upon ha’aretz, though one’s eynayim see sleep neither yom nor lailah,

¹⁷ then I beheld kol ma’aseh HaElohim, that haAdam cannot comprehend the ma’aseh that is done under the shemesh; because though haAdam labor to seek it out, yet he shall not comprehend it; moreover, though a chacham claim to have da’as of it, yet shall he not be able to comprehend it.

9 All this I took to my lev, explaining it all, that the tzaddikim, and the chachamim, and their works, are in the yad HaElohim; adam does not have da’as of whether it will be ahavah or sinah; all lies before him.

² All things come alike to all; there is one mikreh (fortune) to the tzaddik, and to the rasha; to the tov and to the tahor, and to the tameh; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not; as is the tov, so is the choteh; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth a shevuah (an oath).

³ This is a rah among all things that are done under the shemesh, that there is one mikreh (fortune) unto all; yea, also the lev of the bnei haAdam is full of rah, and holelot (madness) is in their lev while they live, and after that they go to the mesim.

⁴ For to him that is joined to all the living there is bitachon; for a kelev chai (living dog) is better than an aryeh hamet (dead lion).

⁵ For the living have da’as that they shall die; but the mesim do not have da’as of anything, neither have they any more a sachar, for the memory of them is forgotten.

⁶ Also their ahavah, and their sinah, and their kina, is now perished; neither have they any more a chelek l’olam in any thing that is done under the shemesh.

⁷ Go thy way, eat thy lechem with simchah, and drink thy yayin with a lev tov; for HaElohim now accepteth thy ma’asim.

⁸ Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no shemen (ointment).

⁹ Live joyfully with the isha whom thou lovest all the days of thy chayyei hevel, which he hath given thee under the shemesh, all the days of thy hevel; for that is thy chelek in this life, and in thy amal (toil) which thou laborest under the shemesh.

¹⁰ Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy koach; for there is no ma’aseh, nor cheshbon, nor da’as, nor chochmah in Sheol, whither thou goest.

¹¹ I returned, and saw under the shemesh, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the gibborim, neither yet lechem to the chachamim, nor yet osher to the intelligent, nor yet chen (favor) to the experts; but et (time) and pega (chance) happeneth to them all.

¹² For haAdam also hath no da’as of his et (time, hour, but see Yn 13:1; 8:20; 7:30; 2:4 regarding the Moshiach’s knowledge of his hour); as the dagim that are caught in a metzodah rah (evil net), and as the birds that are trapped in the pach (snare), so are the Bnei HaAdam snared in an et ra’ah (evil time), when it falleth suddenly upon them.

¹³ This chochmah have I seen also under the shemesh, and it seemed gedolah (great) unto me:

¹⁴ There was an ir ketanah (little city), and few men within it; and there came a melech gadol against it, and besieged it, and built metzorim gedolim (huge siegeworks) against it.

¹⁵ Now there was found in it a poor chacham, and he by his chochmah delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

¹⁶ Then said I, Chochmah is better than gevurah (strength); nevertheless the poor man’s chochmah is despised, and his devarim are not heard.

¹⁷ Divrei chachamim in quiet are more to be heeded than the shouting of the moshel (one ruling) among kesilim.

¹⁸ Chochmah is better than weapons of war, but one choteh destroyeth much good.

10 Dead flies cause the perfumer’s shemen to send forth a foul odor; so doth a little sichlut outweigh chochmah and kavod.

² A chacham’s lev is at his yamin (right hand); but a kesil’s lev is at his semol (left hand).

³ Yea also, when he that is a kesil even walketh along the derech, his sense faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a kesil.

⁴ If the ruach of the moshel rise up against thee, leave not thy mekom; for calmness pacifieth chata’im gedolim.

⁵ There is a ra’ah which I have seen under the shemesh, the sort of error which proceedeth from a shalit (ruler);

⁶ Sekhel (folly) is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

⁷ I have seen avadim (servants) upon susim, and sarim (princes) walking as avadim upon ha’aretz.

⁸ He that diggeth a gumatz (pit) shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a nachash shall bite him.

⁹ Whoso pulleth out avanim (stones) may be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood may be endangered thereby.

¹⁰ If the barzel (iron [of the axe]) be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must more strength be marshalled; but chochmah brings success.

¹¹ If the nachash will bite before it is charmed, there is no use in a charmer.

¹² The words of a chacham’s mouth are chen (gracious); but the lips of a kesil will swallow up himself.

¹³ The beginning of the words of his mouth is sichlut; and the end of his talk is holelot ra’ah.

¹⁴ A kesil also is full of devarim; haAdam has no da’as of what shall be, and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

¹⁵ The amal of the kesilim wearieth him, because he has no da’as of how to go to town.

¹⁶ Woe to thee, O eretz, when thy melech is a na’ar, and thy sarim (princes) feast in the boker!

¹⁷ Blessed art thou, O eretz, when thy melech is a nobleman, and thy sarim (princes) eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

¹⁸ By much atzlut (slothfulness) the rafters falleth; and through idleness of the hands the bais leaketh.

¹⁹ Lechem is made for laughter, and yayin maketh merry; but kesef answereth everything.

²⁰ Curse not the Melech, no not in thy thought; and curse not the oisher in thy bedchamber; for an Oph haShomayim may carry the voice, and that which hath wings may report what you say.

11 Cast thy lechem upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many yamim.

² Give chelek (portions) to shivah, and also to shmonah; for thou knowest not what ra’ah shall be upon ha’aretz.

³ If the clouds be full of geshem, they empty themselves upon ha’aretz; and if the etz fall toward the darom (south), or toward the tzafon (north), in the makom (place) where the etz falleth, there it lieth.

⁴ He that observeth the ruach (wind) shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

⁵ As thou knowest not what is the derech haruach [see Yn 3:3-8], nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the ma’asei HaElohim who maketh all.

⁶ In the boker sow thy zera, and in the erev do not let thine hand be idle; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike tovim.

⁷ Truly the ohr is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eynayim to behold the shemesh;

⁸ But if haAdam live many shanim, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the yamim of choshech; for they shall be many. All that cometh is hevel.

⁹ Rejoice, O bochur, in thy yaldut (youth); and let thy lev cheer thee in the yamim of thy bechurim (youth), and walk in the ways of thine lev, and in the sight of thine eynayim; but have da’as of this; that for all these things HaElohim will bring thee into mishpat.

¹⁰ Therefore banish ka’as (sorrow) from thy lev, and put away ra’ah from thy basar; for yaldut and shacharut (prime of life) are hevel.

12 Remember now thy Bo’re (Creator) in the yamim of thy bechurot, while the yamei hara’ah come not, nor the shanim draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no chefetz (pleasure) in them;

² While the shemesh, or the ohr, or the yarei’ach, or the kokhavim, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain;

³ In the yom when the shomrei habayit shall tremble, and the strong men shall stoop, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows grow dim,

⁴ And the delatayim (doors) shall be shut in the street, when the sound of the grinding fades, and he shall arise at the sound of a tzipor (bird), and all their banot hashir (daughters of song) are brought low;

⁵ Also when they shall be afraid of height, and fears shall be in the derech, and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper drags himself along, and desire shall fail; because haAdam goeth to his bais olam (eternal home), and the mourners go about the streets;

⁶ Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the bor (cistern).

⁷ Then shall the aphar return to ha’aretz as it was; and the ruach shall return unto HaElohim who gave it.

⁸ Hevel havalim, saith Kohelet; all is hevel.

⁹ And moreover, because Kohelet was chacham, he taught the people da’as; yea, he applied, and searched out, and set in order many meshalim (proverbs).

¹⁰ Kohelet searched to find out divrei chefetz; and that which was written was yosher, even divrei emes.

¹¹ Divrei chachamim are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings that are given by Ro’eh Echad (One Shepherd).

¹² And further, by these, beni, be admonished; of making many sefarim there is no ketz; and much study is a weariness of the basar.

¹³ Let us hear the sof (conclusion) of the whole matter; Fear HaElohim, and of His commandments be shomer mitzvot; for this is the whole duty of haAdam.

¹⁴ For HaElohim shall bring kol ma’aseh (every work) into mishpat (judgment), with every ne’lam (secret thing, concealed thing), whether it be tov (good), or whether it be rah (evil).

1 Now it came to pass in the yamim of Achashverosh, (this is Achashverosh which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces;)

² That in those yamim, when HaMelech Achashverosh sat on his kisse malkhut (royal throne), which was in the [Persian] capital, Shushan,

³ In the shnat shalosh (third year) of his reign, he gave a mishteh (feast, banquet) unto all his sarim (princes) and his avadim (officials); the might of Persia and Media, the nobles and sarim (princes) of the provinces, being before him;

⁴ When he displayed the osher kavod malkhut (riches of the glorious kingdom) of his and the yekar (honor [see 1:20]) of his tiferet gedulah (glorious majesty) yamim rabbim, even a hundred and eighty days.

⁵ And when these yamim were expired, HaMelech gave a mishteh (feast) unto all the people that were present in the capital of Shushan, both gadol (great) and katan (small), shivat yamim (seven days), in the khatzer (courtyard) of the garden of the palace of HaMelech,

⁶ Where were white and blue linen curtains, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to rings of silver and pillars of marble; the mittot (couches) were of zahav and kesef, upon an inlaid floor of purplish-red exquisite stone and mother-of-pearl and marble.

⁷ And they gave them drink in vessels of zahav, the vessels being different one from another, and yayin malkhut (royal wine) in abundance, according to the [bountiful] yad HaMelech.

⁸ And the drinking was according to the dat ein ones (rule [which was] not compulsory, restricting); for so HaMelech had ordered all the wine stewards in his bais, that they should serve kirtzon ish va’ish (according to the good pleasure of each man).

⁹ Also Vashti HaMalkah gave a mishteh (feast, banquet) for the nashim (women, wives) in the Beit HaMalkhut (the royal palace) which belonged to HaMelech Achashverosh.

¹⁰ On the yom hashevi’i, when the lev of HaMelech was tov with yayin, he commanded Mehuman, Bizta, Charvona, Bigta, and Avagta, Zetar, and Carkas, the shivat hasarisim (the seven eunuchs) that served in the presence of HaMelech Achashverosh,

¹¹ To bring Vashti HaMalkah before HaMelech with the keter malkhut (royal crown), to show the people and the sarim (princes) her beauty, for she was lovely to behold.

¹² But HaMalkah Vashti refused to come at the devar HaMelech at the agency of his sarisim (eunuchs); therefore HaMelech became furious, and his wrath burned in him.

¹³ Then HaMelech said to the chachamim, which had da’as of the times; for so was the custom of HaMelech toward all the meyvinim (experts) in dat (law) and din (judgment),

¹⁴ And the next unto him was Carshena, Shetar, Admata, Tarshish, Meres, Marsna, and Memuchan, the shivat sarim (princes) of Persia and Media, which had access to HaMelech and which ranked rishonah (highest) in the Malkhut (kingdom);

¹⁵ What shall we do unto the Malkah Vashti according to dat (law), because she hath not performed the commandment of HaMelech Achashverosh at the agency of the sarisim (eunuchs)?

¹⁶ And Memuchan answered before HaMelech and the sarim (princes), Vashti HaMalkah hath not done wrong to HaMelech only, but also to all the sarim (nobles), and to kol haAmim that are in all the provinces of HaMelech Achashverosh.

¹⁷ For this deed of HaMalkah shall spread abroad unto all the nashim (women, wives), so that they shall despise their be’alim (husbands) in their eyes, when it shall be reported that HaMelech Achashverosh commanded Vashti HaMalkah to be brought in before him, but she came not.

¹⁸ Likewise, when they will have heard of the conduct of HaMalkah, the sarot (ladies of the nobility) of Persia and Media shall similarly respond this day unto all the sarim (nobles) of HaMelech. Thus shall there arise too much bizzayon (contempt) and ketzef (wrath).

¹⁹ If it please HaMelech, let there go forth a royal decree from him, and let it be written in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, laws that shall not pass away, that Vashti come no more before HaMelech Achashverosh; and let HaMelech give her royalty unto another that is better than she.

²⁰ And when the edict of HaMelech which he shall make shall be published throughout all his Malkhut (realm)—for it is great—-all the nashim (women, wives) shall give to their be’alim (husbands) yekar (honor, respect), both to gadol and katan.

²¹ And the proposal was good in the eyes of HaMelech and the sarim (nobles); and HaMelech did according to the devar Memuchan;

²² For he sent sefarim into all the provinces of HaMelech, into every province according to the script thereof, and to every people after their leshon, that every ish should bear rule in his own bais, and speak in the leshon of his own people.

2 After these things, when the wrath of HaMelech Achashverosh was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.

² Then said the attendants of HaMelech that ministered unto him, Let there be beautiful ne’arot betulot (young virgins) sought for HaMelech;

³ And let HaMelech appoint pekidim (overseers) in all the provinces of his malkhut (kingdom, realm), that they may gather together all the beautiful na’arah betulah (young virgins) unto Shushan the capital, to the Bais HaNashim (House of the Women, Harem), unto the custody of Hegai the Saris HaMelech (the Eunuch of the King), the Shomer HaNashim (Custodian of the Women); and let their (bodily) rubbings be given them.

⁴ And let the na’arah which pleaseth HaMelech be Malkah (Queen) instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased HaMelech; and he did so.

⁵ Now in Shushan the capital there was an ish Yehudi, shmo Mordechai ben Yair ben Shim’i ben Kish, a Binyamini.

⁶ He had been carried away from Yerushalayim in the Golus among those taken captive with Yechanyah Melech Yehudah, whom Nevuchadnetzar Melech Bavel had carried away.

⁷ And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Ester, the bat of his dod (uncle); for she had neither av nor em, and the na’arah was lovely in form and beautiful in appearance, whom Mordechai, when her av and em were dead, took for the bat of his own.

⁸ So it came to pass, when the commandment of HaMelech and his dat (decree, law) was heard, and when ne’arot rabbot (many maidens) were gathered together unto Shushan the capital, to the custody of Hegai, that Ester was brought also unto the Beis HaMelech, to the custody of Hegai, Shomer HaNashim.

⁹ And the na’arah pleased HaMelech, and she took up chesed before HaMelech; and he speedily had her be given her (bodily) rubbings, with her portion of special food; and also he selected sheva hane’arot (seven maids) for her from the Beis HaMelech; and he transferred her and her ne’arot to the preferred quarters in the Bais HaNashim.

¹⁰ Ester had not revealed her Am (People, i.e., the Jewish people) nor her moledet (kindred, i.e., her Jewishness), for Mordechai had charged her she should not show it.

¹¹ And Mordechai walked kol yom vayom before the khatzer Bais HaNashim (courtyard of the House of the Women, Harem) to have da’as of the shalom Ester (welfare of Ester), and what would become of her.

¹² Now before the turn of every na’arah came to go in to HaMelech Achashverosh, she had to complete the yemei merukeihen (the days of her [bodily] rubbings) which were prescribed for the nashim and which involved shneym asar chodesh (twelve months), shisha chodashim (six months) of shemen (oil) of myrrh and shisha chodashim (six months) of perfumes and beauty treatments for nashim.

¹³ Then thus came every na’arah unto HaMelech; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the Bais HaNashim unto the Beis HaMelech.

¹⁴ Ba’erev (in the evening) she went, and ba’boker (in the morning) she returned to a Bais HaNashim Sheni (a second House of the Women, Harem) to the custody of Shaashgaz, Saris HaMelech, Shomer HaPilagshim (Eunuch of the King, Custodian of the Concubines). She came in unto HaMelech no more, except HaMelech delighted in her, and she were summoned b’shem (by name).

¹⁵ Now when the turn of Ester bat Avichayil, dod Mordechai, who had adopted her as his bat, was come to go in unto HaMelech, she required nothing but what Hegai, Saris HaMelech, the Shomer HaNashim, suggested. And Ester took up chen (favor, grace) in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

¹⁶ So Ester was taken unto HaMelech Achashverosh into his Bais Malkhut (royal residence) in the chodesh ha’asiri (tenth month), which is the month Tevet, in the shnat sheva (seventh year) of his reign.

¹⁷ And HaMelech loved Ester mikol hanashim (more than all the women), and she took up chen vachesed (favor and grace) in his sight more than kol habetulot (all the virgins), so that he set the keter malkhut (royal crown) upon her head, and made her Malkah instead of Vashti.

¹⁸ Then HaMelech gave a mishteh gadol (great feast) unto all his sarim (nobles) and his avadim (servants, officials), even Mishteh Ester; and he decreed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts according to the [bountiful] yad HaMelech.

¹⁹ And when the betulot (virgins) were gathered together again, then Mordechai yoshev b’Sha’ar HaMelech (sat in the King’s Gate).

²⁰ Ester had not yet revealed her moledet (kindred) nor her Am (people, i.e., the Jewish people) as Mordechai had charged her; for Ester did the commandment of Mordechai, like as when she was brought up with him.

²¹ In those yamim, while Mordechai yoshev b’Sha’ar HaMelech, two of the Sarisim of HaMelech, Bigtan and Teresh, of the Mishomrei HaSaf (Keepers of the Door, Doorkeepers), were angry, and conspired to assassinate HaMelech Achashverosh.

²² And Mordechai came to da’as of the plot, and told it unto Ester HaMalkah; and Ester informed HaMelech thereof b’shem Mordechai.

²³ And when inquiry was made of the matter, it was found true; therefore the two of them were made talui al etz (hanged on a tree), and it was written in the sefer of the divrei hayamim before HaMelech.

3 After these things did HaMelech Achashverosh promote Haman ben Hamdata the Agagi [Num 24:7], and advanced him, and set his rank above all the other sarim (nobles).

² And all the avadim of HaMelech, that were in the Sha’ar HaMelech, bowed, and paid homage to Haman, for HaMelech had so commanded concerning him. But Mordechai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

³ Then avadim of HaMelech, which were in the Sha’ar HaMelech, said unto Mordechai, Why transgressest thou the mitzvat HaMelech?

⁴ Now it came to pass, when they spoke yom vayom unto him, and his was a lo shema (not listen) unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordechai’s behavior would be tolerated; for he had told them that hu Yehudi (he was a Jew).

⁵ And when Haman saw that Mordechai ein korei’a (bowed not), nor to him mishtachaveh (would prostrate, worship [Devarim 5:9]), then was Haman full of chemah (wrath).

⁶ And he scorned to lay hands on Mordechai alone; since they had told him the Am Mordechai; therefore Haman sought to make shmad of kol haYehudim that were throughout the kol Malkhut Achashverosh, even the Am Mordechai.

⁷ In the chodesh harishon (first month), that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of HaMelech Achashverosh, they cast Pur, that is, the goral (lot), before Haman miyom l’yom (from day to day, every day), and me’chodesh l’chodesh (from month to month, every month) until the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

⁸ And Haman said unto HaMelech Achashverosh, There is Am Echad scattered abroad and dispersed among the amim in all the provinces of thy malkhut (kingdom, realm); and their dat (law) is different from kol am; neither obey they the datei HaMelech; therefore it is not suitable for HaMelech to tolerate them.

⁹ If it please HaMelech, let it be written that they may be killed, and I will weigh ten thousand talents of kesef into the hands of those that are the osei hamelachah (doers of the work, T.N. i.e., the S.S.), to bring it into genazim (treasuries [T.N. see the word genizah here]) of HaMelech.

¹⁰ And HaMelech took his taba’at (signet ring) from his hand, and gave it unto Haman ben Hamdata the Agagi, the tzorer (vexer, harasser) of the Yehudim.

¹¹ And HaMelech said unto Haman, The kesef is given to thee, HaAm also, to do with them as it seemeth good in thine eyes.

¹² Then were the soferim of HaMelech summoned on the shloshah asar yom of chodesh harishon, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded, unto the satraps of HaMelech, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the sarim of every people of every province according to the script thereof, and to every people after their leshon; b’shem HaMelech Achashverosh was it written, and sealed with the taba’at HaMelech (the signet ring of HaMelech).

¹³ And the sefarim were sent by couriers into all the provinces of HaMelech, to make shmad, to kill, and to annihilate kol HaYehudim, both na’ar and zaken (young and old), little children and nashim, on yom echad (one day), even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to plunder their possessions.

¹⁴ The copy of the edict to be issued as dat (law) in every province was published unto kol ha’amim, that they should be atidim (ready, prepared) for yom hazeh (that day).

¹⁵ The couriers went out, being hastened by the devar HaMelech, and the dat was issued in Shushan the capital. And HaMelech and Haman sat down to drink, but the city Shushan was in confusion.

4 When Mordechai perceived all that was done, Mordechai rent his garments, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a zeakah gedolah umarah (loud and a bitter wailing);

² And came even before the Sha’ar HaMelech; for none might enter into the Sha’ar HaMelech clothed with sackcloth.

³ And in every province, whithersoever the Devar HaMelech and his dat (decree) came, there was evel gadol (great mourning) among the Yehudim, and a tzom, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.

⁴ So Ester’s na’arot and her sarisim came and told it her. Then was HaMalkah exceedingly distressed; and she sent begadim (raiment) to clothe Mordechai, and to take away his sackcloth from him, but he received it not [see Am 6:6].

⁵ Then called Ester for Hatach, one of the sarisim of HaMelech, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment about Mordechai, to have da’as of mah zeh (what is this?), and al mah zeh (why is this?)

⁶ So Hatach went forth to Mordechai unto the rechov haIr (open square of the city), which was before the Sha’ar HaMelech.

⁷ And Mordechai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the parashat hakesef (exact amount of the money) that Haman had promised to pay to the genazim of HaMelech for the Yehudim, to destroy them.

⁸ Also he gave him the copy of the edict of the dat (decree, Final Solution) that was published at Shushan to make them shmad, to show it unto Ester, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto HaMelech, to make supplication unto him, and to make bakash (request, pleading) before him for her Am (People, the Jewish People).

⁹ And Hatach came and told Ester the divrei Mordechai.

¹⁰ Again Ester spoke unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordechai:

¹¹ All the avadim of HaMelech, and the people of the provinces of HaMelech have da’as that whosoever, whether ish or isha, shall come unto HaMelech into the pnimiyus khatzer (innermost courtyard), who is not called, there is echat dat (one law) of his to put him to death, except such to whom HaMelech shall hold out the sharvit hazahav (golden sceptre), that he may live. But I have not been called to come in unto HaMelech these shloshim yom.

¹² And they told to Mordechai Ester’s words.

¹³ Then Mordechai commanded to answer Ester, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the Beis HaMelech, more than kol HaYehudim.

¹⁴ For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there revach (relief) and hatzalah (deliverance) arise to the Yehudim from another place; but thou and thy bais Avicha (house of thy father) shall be destroyed; and who knoweth whether thou art come to the Malkhut for such a time as this [1C 9:16; Ro 1:16] ?

¹⁵ Then Ester bade them return Mordechai this answer,

¹⁶ Go, gather together kol HaYehudim that are found in Shushan, and declare ye a tzom for me, and neither eat nor drink shloshet yamim, lailah vayom. I also and my na’arot will undergo a tzom likewise; and so will I go in unto HaMelech, though it is not according to the dat; and if I perish, I perish.

¹⁷ So Mordechai went his way, and did according to all that Ester had commanded him.

5 Now it came to pass on the yom hashelishi, that Ester put on her royal apparel, and stood in the pnimiyus [khatzer] of the Beis HaMelech in front of the Beis HaMelech; and HaMelech sat upon his kisse malkhut (royal throne) in the Beis Hamalkhut, facing the Petach HaBeis (Entrance of HaBeis).

² And it was so, when HaMelech saw Ester HaMalkah standing in the Khatzer (Court), that she took up chen (favor, grace) in his sight, and HaMelech held out to Ester the sharvit hazahav (golden sceptre) that was in his hand. So Ester drew near, and touched the top of the sharvit (sceptre).

³ Then said HaMelech unto her, What wilt thou, Ester HaMalkah? And what is thy bakash (request)? It shall be given thee even to the chatzi HaMalchut (half of the kingdom).

⁴ And Ester answered, If it seem tov unto HaMelech, let HaMelech and Haman come today unto the mishteh that I have prepared for him.

⁵ Then HaMelech said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Ester hath said. So HaMelech and Haman came to the mishteh that Ester had prepared.

⁶ And HaMelech said unto Ester at the mishteh hayayin (feast), What is thy she’elah (petition)? And it shall be granted thee. And what is thy bakash (request)? Even to chatzi HaMalchut it shall be granted.

⁷ Then answered Ester, and said, My she’elah and my bakash is:

⁸ If I have found chen (favor, grace) in the sight of HaMelech, and if it is tov to HaMelech to grant my she’elah, and to perform my bakash, let HaMelech and Haman come to the mishteh that I shall prepare for them, and I will do makhar (tomorrow) as HaMelech hath said.

⁹ Then went Haman forth that day sameiach (joyful, happy) and with a tov lev; but when Haman saw Mordechai in the Sha’ar HaMelech, that he stood not up, nor trembled because of him, he was full of chemah (indignation, rage) against Mordechai.

¹⁰ Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and when he came home, he sent and called for his ohavim (friends), and Zeresh his isha.

¹¹ And Haman told them of the kavod of his osher, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein HaMelech had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the sarim (princes) and avadim of HaMelech.

¹² Haman said moreover, Yea, Ester HaMalkah did let no man come in with HaMelech unto the mishteh that she had prepared but myself; and makhar (tomorrow) am I invited unto her also with HaMelech.

¹³ Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordechai HaYehudi sitting at the Sha’ar HaMelech.

¹⁴ Then said Zeresh his isha and all his ohavim (friends) unto him, Let an etz (hanging tree) be made of fifty cubits high, and baboker (in the morning) speak thou unto HaMelech that Mordechai may be hanged thereon [see Lk 23:21 OJBC]; then go thou samei’ach (joyfully) with HaMelech unto the mishteh. And the thing was tov to Haman; and he caused HaEtz to be built.

6 On that night HaMelech’s sleep fled away, and he commanded to bring the sefer of records of the chronicles; and they were read before HaMelech.

² And it was found written, that Mordechai had told of Bigtan and Teresh, two of the sarisim of HaMelech, the Mishomrei HaSaf (Keepers of the Door, the Doorkeepers) who conspired to assassinate HaMelech Achashverosh.

³ And HaMelech said, What yekar (honor [see 1:4,20]) and what recognition hath been done to Mordechai for this? Then said the servants of HaMelech that ministered unto him, Nothing has been done for him.

⁴ And HaMelech said, Who is in the khatzer (court)? Now Haman was come into the Khatzer HaKhitzonah (Outer Court) of the Beis HaMelech, to speak unto HaMelech lit’lot (to hang; see Esth 2:23) Mordechai on HaEtz that he had erected for him. [T.N. See Moshiach Ben Dovid hanging on a tree 2Sm 18:10 as well as the specter of the same fate for this descendant of the first royal family of Israel].

⁵ And the servants of HaMelech said unto him, Hinei, Haman standeth in the khatzer. And HaMelech said, Let him come in.

⁶ So Haman came in. And HaMelech said unto him, What shall be done unto the ish whom HaMelech delighteth to show yekar (see 1:4,20: 6:3)? Now Haman thought in his lev, To whom would HaMelech delight to do yekar more than to myself?

⁷ And Haman answered HaMelech, For the ish HaMelech delighteth to show yekar (honor)

⁸ Let the levush malkhut (royal robe, clothing) be brought which HaMelech has worn, and the sus (horse) that HaMelech rideth upon, and the keter malkhut (royal crown, crest) which is set upon its head,

⁹ And let this levush and sus be delivered to the hand of one of the most noble sarim (princes) of HaMelech, that they may array the ish therewith whom HaMelech delighteth to show yekar [see 1:4,20;6:3,6], and bring him on horseback through the rechov of the ir, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the ish whom HaMelech delighteth to show yekar.

¹⁰ Then HaMelech said to Haman, Make haste, and take the levush and the sus, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordechai HaYehudi, that sitteth at the Sha’ar HaMelech; leave nothing undone of all that thou hast spoken.

¹¹ Then took Haman the levush and the sus, and arrayed Mordechai, and brought him on horseback through the rechov of the ir, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the ish whom HaMelech delighteth to show yekar.

¹² And Mordechai came again to the Sha’ar HaMelech. But Haman hasted to his bais, having his head covered in evel (mourning [see 4:3]).

¹³ And Haman told Zeresh his isha and all his ohavim everything that had befallen him. Then said his chachamim and Zeresh his isha unto him, If Mordechai be of the zera of the Yehudim, before whom thy downfall hast begun, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt nafol tipol (surely fall) before him [see Mt 27:19].

¹⁴ And while they were yet talking with him, came the sarisim of HaMelech, and hasted to bring Haman unto the mishteh (banquet) that Ester had prepared.

7 So HaMelech and Haman came to banquet with Ester HaMalkah.

² And HaMelech said again unto Ester on the yom hasheni (second day) at the mishteh hayayin (feast), What is thy she’elah (petition), Ester HaMalkah? And it shall be granted thee; and what is thy bakash (request)? And it shall be performed, even to chatzi HaMalchut.

³ Then Ester HaMalkah answered and said, If I have found chen (favor) in thy sight, O HaMelech, and if it is tov to HaMelech, let nafshi (my life) be given me at my she’elah (petition), and my Am at my bakash (request);

⁴ For we are sold, Ani (I) and Ami (my People), to be made shmad, to be slain, and to be annihilated. But if we had been sold for avadim and shfakhot, I would have held my tongue, since then the tzoros would not have been such as to injure the interests of HaMelech.

⁵ Then HaMelech Achashverosh answered and said unto Ester HaMalkah, Who is he, and where is he, who dares to presume in his lev to do such?

⁶ And Ester said, HaTzar (the foe) and the oyev (enemy) is this Haman HaRah (Vile Haman). Then Haman was terrified before HaMelech and HaMalkah.

⁷ And HaMelech, arising in his wrath from the mishteh hayayin, went into the palace garden; and Haman stood up to make bakash (request) for his nefesh (life) to Ester HaMalkah; for he saw that harm was determined against him by HaMelech.

⁸ Then HaMelech returned out of the palace garden into the Bais Mishteh HaYayin, and Haman was fallen upon the mittah (couch, [see 1:6 mittot, couches]) whereon Ester was. Then said HaMelech, Will he ravish HaMalkah also before me in the bais? As the davar (word) went out of the mouth of HaMelech, they covered Haman’s face.

⁹ And Charvonah, one of the sarisim, said before HaMelech, Hinei, also, HaEtz fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordechai, who has spoken tov for HaMelech, standeth in the Bais Haman. Then HaMelech said, Hang him thereon.

¹⁰ So they hanged Haman on HaEtz that he had prepared for Mordechai. Then was the wrath of HaMelech pacified [Ps 24:10; Isa 53:11].

8 On that day did HaMelech Achashverosh give the Bais Haman Tzorer HaYehudim (the estate of Haman the Vexer, Harasser, Enemy of the Jews) unto Ester HaMalkah. And Mordechai came before HaMelech; for Ester had told what he was unto her.

² And HaMelech took off his taba’at (signet ring), which he had reclaimed from Haman, and gave it unto Mordechai. And Ester set Mordechai over the Bais Haman.

³ And Ester spoke yet again before HaMelech, and fell down at his feet, and she wept and made supplication to him to avert the rah of Haman HaAgagi and the machshevet of him (his scheme, i.e., final solution plan) that he had devised against the Yehudim.

⁴ Then HaMelech held out the sharvit hazahav (golden sceptre) toward Ester. So Ester arose, and stood before HaMelech,

⁵ And said, If it is tov to HaMelech, and if I have found chen (favor, grace) in his sight, and the thing seem kosher (fit, right, proper) before HaMelech, and I be tovah (pleasing) in his eyes, let it be written to revoke the seferim machashevet Haman (letters devised by Haman) ben Hamdata the Agagi, which he wrote to destroy the Yehudim which are in all the provinces of HaMelech;

⁶ For how can I endure to see the ra’ah that shall come unto Ami (my people)? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my moledet (kindred, Jewish kinsmen)?

⁷ Then HaMelech Achashverosh said unto Ester HaMalkah and to Mordechai HaYehudi, Hinei, I have given Ester the Bais Haman, and him they have hanged upon the etz, because he laid his hand against HaYehudim.

⁸ Write ye also in behalf of HaYehudim, as you please, b’shem HaMelech, and seal it with the taba’at (signet ring) of HaMelech; for the writing which is written b’shem HaMelech, and sealed with the taba’at (signet ring) of HaMelech may no man reverse.

⁹ Then were the soferim of HaMelech summoned at that time in the chodesh hashelishi, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and according to all that Mordechai ordered it was written unto HaYehudim, and to the satraps, and the governors and nobles of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the script thereof, and unto every people after their leshon, and to the Yehudim according to their script, and according to their leshon.

¹⁰ And he wrote b’shem HaMelech Achashverosh, and sealed it with the taba’at of HaMelech, and sent seferim by couriers on horseback riding thoroughbred royal steeds;

¹¹ Wherein HaMelech granted the Yehudim which were in every city to assemble themselves together, and to engage in self-defense, to make shmad, to slay and to annihilate, any chayil (armed force) of any people or province that would attack them, both little ones and nashim, and to plunder their property

¹² On yom echad in all the provinces of HaMelech Achashverosh, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

¹³ A copy of the edict was to be issued as dat (law) in every province and was galui (made known) unto kol ha’amim (all nationalities), and that the Yehudim should be atidim (ready, prepared, [see 3:14]) for yom hazeh to avenge themselves on their oyvim (enemies).

¹⁴ So the couriers that rode upon royal steeds went out, being hastened and pressed on by the devar HaMelech. And the dat (decree) was given at Shushan the capital.

¹⁵ And Mordechai went out from the presence of HaMelech in levush malkhut (royal robe, clothing) of blue and white, and with an ateret zahav gedolah (a great crown of gold), and with a tachrich (garment, robe, [see OJBC Mt 27:59]) of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan celebrated and rejoiced.

¹⁶ The Yehudim had orah (light), and simcha, and sasson, and yekar (honor).

¹⁷ And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the devar HaMelech and his dat came, the Yehudim had simcha and sasson, a mishteh (feast) and a yontef. And many of the people of the land mityahadim (became Yehudim); for the pachad HaYehudim fell upon them.

9 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the devar HaMelech and his dat drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the oyvei HaYehudim hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Yehudim had rule over them that hated them);

² The Yehudim assembled themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of HaMelech Achashverosh, to lay hands on such as sought their hurt, and no man could withstand them, for the pachad of them fell upon all people.

³ And all the nobles of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and officials of HaMelech helped the Yehudim; because the pachad of Mordechai fell upon them.

⁴ For Mordechai was gadol in the Bais HaMelech, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces; for haish Mordechai grew more and more powerful.

⁵ Thus the Yehudim struck all their oyvim with makkat cherev, slaughter, destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.

⁶ And in Shushan the capital the Yehudim slew and destroyed 500 men.

⁷ And Parshandata, Dalphon, Aspata,

⁸ Porata, Adalya, Aridata,

⁹ Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizata,

¹⁰ The aseret bnei Haman ben Hamdata, tzorer (enemy of) HaYehudim; but on the plunder laid they not their hand.

¹¹ On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the capital was brought before HaMelech.

¹² And HaMelech said unto Ester HaMalkah, The Yehudim have slain and destroyed 500 men in Shushan the capital, and the ten bnei Haman. What have they done in the rest of the provinces of HaMelech? Now what is thy she’elah (petition)? And it shall be granted thee. Or what is thy bakash further? And it shall be done.

¹³ Then said Ester, If it be tov to HaMelech, let it be granted to the Yehudim which are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according unto the dat of this day, and let the aseret bnei Haman be hanged upon haetz [see Esth 6:4].

¹⁴ And HaMelech commanded it so to be done; and the dat (decree) was given at Shushan; and they hanged aseret bnei Haman.

¹⁵ For the Yehudim that were in Shushan assembled themselves together on the 14^th day also of the month Adar, and slew 300 men at Shushan; but on the plunder they laid not their hand.

¹⁶ But the she’ar (remainder, remnant) of the Yehudim that were in the provinces of HaMelech assembled themselves together, engaged in selfdefense, got relief from their oyvim, slew of those hating them 75,000, but they laid not their hands on the plunder.

¹⁷ This was on the 13^th day of the month Adar, and on the 14^th day of the same rested they, and made it a yom mishteh and simcha.

¹⁸ But the Yehudim that were at Shushan assembled together on the 13^th day thereof, and on the 14^th thereof, and on the 15^th day of the same they rested, and made it a yom mishteh and simcha.

¹⁹ Therefore the Yehudim of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the 14^th day of the month Adar a simcha and mishteh, and a yontef, and of sending presents each one to his neighbor.

²⁰ And Mordechai wrote these things, and sent seferim unto all the Yehudim that were in all the provinces of HaMelech Achashverosh, both near and far,

²¹ To establish this among them, that they should keep the 14^th day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, shanah v’shanah,

²² As the yamim wherein the Yehudim got relief from their oyvim, and the month which was turned unto them from yagon (sorrow) to simcha (joy), and from evel (mourning) into yontef; that they should make them yemei mishteh v’simcha, and of sending presents one to another, and mattanot (gifts) to the evyon (needy, poor).

²³ And the Yehudim undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordechai had written unto them;

²⁴ Because Haman ben Hamdata, the Agagi, the tzorer kol HaYehudim, had devised against the Yehudim to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the goral (lot), to utterly defeat them, and to destroy them;

²⁵ But when Ester came before HaMelech, he commanded by hasefer that his wicked machashevah, which he devised against the Yehudim, should return upon his own head, and that he and his banim should be hanged on the etz.

²⁶ Wherefore they called these yamim Purim after the shem of the Pur. Therefore for all the words of this iggeret (letter), and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had happened unto them,

²⁷ The Yehudim established, and took upon them, and upon their zera, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time shanah v’shanah;

²⁸ And that these yamim should be remembered and kept dor v’dor (throughout every generation), in every mishpachah, every province, and every city; and that these yemei HaPurim should never cease from among the Yehudim, nor the memorial of them perish from their zera.

²⁹ Then Ester HaMalkah, the bat Avichayil, and Mordechai HaYehudi, wrote with kol tokef (all authority, see Yn 1:12-13), to confirm this second iggeret (letter of) Purim.

³⁰ And he sent seferim unto all the Yehudim, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the malchut of Achashverosh, with words of shalom and emes,

³¹ To confirm these yemei HaPurim in their times appointed, according as Mordechai HaYehudi and Ester HaMalkah had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their zera, the matters of the tzomot (fasts) and their ze’akah (lamentation).

³² And the decree of Ester confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the sefer.

10 And HaMelech Achashverosh laid a tribute upon the land, even to its distant shores.

² And all the acts of his authority and of his might, and the parashat gedulat Mordechai (full account of the greatness of Mordechai), whereunto HaMelech advanced him, are they not written in the sefer of the divrei hayamim of the kings of Media and Persia?

³ For Mordechai HaYehudi was next unto HaMelech Achashverosh, and gadol among the Yehudim, and esteemed of the multitude of his achim, seeking the tov of his people, and speaking shalom to all their zera. [T.N. The following book was written during the Sixth Century B.C.E. by Daniel HaNavi. See Mt.24:15.]

1 In the third year of the reign of Yehoiakim Melech Yehudah came Nevuchadnetzar king of Babylon unto Yerushalayim, and besieged it.

² And Hashem gave Yehoiakim Melech Yehudah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the Beis HaElohim; which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his g-d; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his g-d.

³ And the king spoke unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the Bnei Yisroel, and of the king’s zera (seed), and of the princes,

⁴ Yeladim in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skillful in all chochmah (wisdom), and cunning in da’as (knowledge), and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the heikhal hamelech (king’s palace), and whom they might teach the sefer and lashon of the Kasdim (Chaldeans).

⁵ And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s food, and of the yayin which he drank, so nourishing them shanim shalosh (three years), that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

⁶ Now among these were of the Bnei Yehudah, Daniel, Chananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah;

⁷ Unto whom the chief of the eunuchs gave names; for he gave unto Daniel the name of Beltshatzar; and to Chananyah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azaryah, of Abednego.

⁸ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the yayin which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

⁹ Now G-d had brought Daniel into chesed and sympathy with the chief of the eunuchs.

¹⁰ And the chief of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear adoni hamelech, who hath appointed your meat and your drink; for why should he see your faces worse looking than the yeladim which are of your age? Then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

¹¹ Then said Daniel to the steward, whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Chananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah,

¹² Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, yamim asarim (ten days); and let them give us vegetables to eat, and mayim (water) to drink.

¹³ Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the yeladim that eat of the portion of the king’s meat, and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

¹⁴ So he consented to them in this matter, and tested them yamim asarim (ten days).

¹⁵ And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the yeladim which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.

¹⁶ Thus the steward took away the portion of their meat, and the yayin that they should drink; and gave them vegetables.

¹⁷ As for these four yeladim, G-d gave them knowledge and skill in all sefer and chochmah, and Daniel had understanding in all chazon (visions) and chalomot (dreams).

¹⁸ Now at the end of the days that the king had said he would bring them in, then the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nevuchadnetzar.

¹⁹ And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Chananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah; therefore stood they before the king.

²⁰ And in all matters of chochmah and binah that the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

²¹ And Daniel continued even unto the first year of King Koresh (Cyrus).

2 And in the second year of the reign of Nevuchadnetzar, Nevuchadnetzar dreamed chalomot (dreams), wherewith his ruach was troubled, and his sleep left him.

² Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the enchanters, and the sorcerers, and the Kasdim (Chaldeans) for to show the king his chalomot. So they came and stood before the king.

³ And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a chalom (dream) and my ruach was troubled to have da’as of the chalom (dream).

⁴ Then spoke the Kasdim (Chaldeans) to the king in Aramaic, O king, live for ever; tell thy servants the chalom (dream), and we will show the pesher (interpretation, explanation).

⁵ The king answered and said to the Kasdim (Chaldeans), The decision from me is firm; if ye will not give me da’as of the chalom (dream), with the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a pile of rubble;

⁶ But if ye show the chalom (dream), and the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor; therefore show me the chalom (dream), and the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof.

⁷ They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the chalom (dream), and we will show the pesher (interpretation, explanation) of it.

⁸ The king answered and said, I have da’as of certainty that ye would gain time, because ye see the decision from me is firm.

⁹ But if ye will not give me da’as of the chalom (dream), there is but one decree for you; for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the tide is turned; therefore tell me the chalom (dream), and I shall have da’as that ye can show me the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof.

¹⁰ The Kasdim (Chaldeans) answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king’s matter; therefore there is no melech, no matter how rav (great) or powerful, that asked such things of any magician, or enchanter, or Kasdai (Chaldean).

¹¹ And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can show it before the king, except the g-ds, whose dwelling is not with basar (flesh).

¹² For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the chachamim (wise men) of Babylon.

¹³ And the decree went forth that the chachamim should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his chaverim to be slain.

¹⁴ Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Aryoch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the chachamim of Babylon;

¹⁵ He answered and said to Aryoch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Aryoch made the thing known to Daniel.

¹⁶ Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the pesher (interpretation, explanation).

¹⁷ Then Daniel went to his bais, and made the decree known to Chananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah, his chaverim,

¹⁸ That they would plead for rachamim from the G-d of Shomayim concerning this raz (mystery, secret); that Daniel and his chaverim should not perish with the rest of the chachamim of Babylon.

¹⁹ Then was the raz revealed unto Daniel in a chazon of the lailah. Then Daniel said a brakhah to the G-d of Shomayim.

²⁰ Daniel answered and said, Baruch hashem Elohim l’olam va’ed; for chochmah (wisdom) and gevurah (might) are His;

²¹ And He changeth the times and the zmanim (seasons); He removeth melachim, and setteth up melachim; He giveth chochmah unto the chachamim, and da’as to them that know binah;

²² He revealeth the deep and secret things; He knoweth what is in the choshech, and the light dwelleth with Him.

²³ I thank Thee, and praise Thee, O Thou G-d of my fathers, Who hast given me chochmah and gevurah, and hast given unto me da’as now of what we desired of Thee; for Thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

²⁴ Therefore Daniel went in unto Aryoch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the chachamim of Babylon; he went and said thus unto him: Destroy not the chachamim of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show unto the king the pesher (interpretation, explanation).

²⁵ Then Aryoch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the Bnei Golus of Yehudah, that will give da’as unto the king of the pesher (interpretation, explanation).

²⁶ The king answered and said to Daniel whose name was Beltshatzar, Art thou able to give da’as unto me of the chalom (dream) which I have seen, and the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof?

²⁷ Daniel answered in the presence of the king and said, The raz which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the enchanters, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king;

²⁸ But there is a G-d in Shomayim that revealeth razim, and maketh known to the king Nevuchadnetzar what shall be in the acharit hayamim. Thy chalom (dream), and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these:

²⁹ As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter; and He that revealeth razim (secrets) maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.

³⁰ But as for me, this raz is not revealed to me for any chochmah that I have more than any living, but in order that the pesher (interpretation, explanation) may be known to the king, and that thou mightest understand the thoughts of thy heart.

³¹ Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great tzelem (image, idol, statue). This great tzelem, whose brightness was extraordinary, stood before thee; and the form thereof was awesome.

³² This tzelem’s head was of fine gold, his chest and his arms of silver, his middle and his thighs of bronze,

³³ His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.

³⁴ Thou sawest till that an even (stone [Moshiach; see Tehillim 118:22; Yeshayah 53:3, Tehillim 2:9]) was cut out without hands, which struck the tzelem upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.

³⁵ Then was the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no trace was found of them; and the even (stone) that struck the tzelem became a great mountain, and filled kol ha’aretz.

³⁶ This is the chalom (dream); and we will tell the pesher thereof before the king.

³⁷ Thou, O king, art a king of kings; for the G-d of Shomayim hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.

³⁸ And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thine hand, and hath made thee shalit (ruler) over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

³⁹ And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of bronze, which shall bear rule over kol ha’aretz.

⁴⁰ And the fourth mamlachah shall be strong as iron; forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things; and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and crush.

⁴¹ And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, the mamlachah shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with baked clay.

⁴² And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the mamlachah shall be partly strong, and partly fragile.

⁴³ And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with baked clay, so the zera of the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

⁴⁴ And in the days of these melachim shall the G-d of Shomayim set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these mamlechot (kingdoms), and it shall stand for ever [Lk 1:32-33].

⁴⁵ Forasmuch as thou sawest that the even (stone) was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great G-d hath made known to the king what shall come to pass after this; and the chalom (dream) is certain, and the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof trustworthy.

⁴⁶ Then the king Nevuchadnetzar fell upon his face, prostrate before Daniel, and paid him honor and ordered that a minchah and incense be presented to him.

⁴⁷ The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a surety it is, that your G-d is G-d of g-ds, and L-rd of melachim, and a revealer of razim (secrets), seeing thou couldest reveal this raz.

⁴⁸ Then the king exalted Daniel to a high position, and gave him many great mattanot (gifts), and made him shalit (ruler) over the whole province of Babylon, and placed him in charge of all the chachamim of Babylon.

⁴⁹ Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon, but Daniel remained at the royal court.

3 Nevuchadnetzar the king made a tzelem of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits; he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

² Then Nevuchadnetzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the tzelem which Nevuchadnetzar the king had set up.

³ Then the satraps, the prefects, and governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the tzelem that Nevuchadnetzar the king had set up; and they stood before the tzelem that Nevuchadnetzar had set up.

⁴ Then a karoz (herald) cried aloud, To you it is ommanded, O people, nations, and languages,

⁵ That at what time ye hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, psaltery, pipes, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden tzelem that Nevuchadnetzar the king hath set up;

⁶ And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery attun (furnace).

⁷ Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden tzelem that Nevuchadnetzar the king had set up.

⁸ Wherefore at that time certain Kasdim (Chaldeans) came near, and accused the Yehudim.

⁹ They spoke and said to the king Nevuchadnetzar, O king, live for ever.

¹⁰ Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, psaltery, and pipes, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden tzelem;

¹¹ And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery attun (furnace).

¹² There are certain Yehudim whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have disregarded thee; they serve (pay-lammed-chet, serve as deity) not thy g-ds, nor worship the golden tzelem which thou hast set up.

¹³ Then Nevuchadnetzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

¹⁴ Nevuchadnetzar spoke and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do ye not serve my g-ds, nor worship the golden tzelem which I have set up?

¹⁵ Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, psaltery, and pipes, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the tzelem which I have made, well; but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery attun; and who is that G-d that shall deliver you out of my hands?

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nevuchadnetzar, we are not needful to answer thee in this matter.

¹⁷ If it be so, Eloheinu whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

¹⁸ But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not be the ones serving as deity (pey-lammed-chet) thy g-ds, nor worship the golden tzelem which thou hast set up.

¹⁹ Then was Nevuchadnetzar full of fury, and the expression on his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the attun seven times hotter than usual.

²⁰ And he commanded certain gibborim (mighty men) of valor that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery attun.

²¹ Then these anashim (men) were bound in their mantles, their tunics, and their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

²² Therefore because the king’s commandment was severe, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flames of the eish (fire) violently killed those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

²³ And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

²⁴ Then Nevuchadnetzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spoke, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast shloshah anashim (three men) bound into the midst of the eish (fire)? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

²⁵ He answered and said, Lo, I see anashim arba’ah (four men) free (not bound, loose), walking in the midst of the eish (fire), and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Bar Elohin (Ben Elohim, Hebrew).

²⁶ Then Nevuchadnetzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace, and spoke, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of El Elyon (G-d Most High), come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the eish (fire).

²⁷ And the satraps, governors, and administrators, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the eish (fire) had no power, nor was a hair of their head singed, neither were their garments affected, nor the smell of eish (fire) had passed on them.

²⁸ Then Nevuchadnetzar spoke, and said, Baruch Elohim shel Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who hath sent His malach, and delivered His servants that trusted in Him, and frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve ([as deity], peylammed-chet) nor worship any g-d, except their own G-d.

²⁹ Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the G-d of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a pile of rubble, because there is no other g-d that can deliver like this.

³⁰ Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.

4 Nevuchadnetzar the king, unto all people, nations and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Shalom aleichem l’machbir (Peace be multiplied unto you).

^2 (3:32) I thought it good to show the otot (signs) and mofetim (wonders) that El Elyon hath wrought toward me.

^3 (3:33) How great are His otot (signs)! And how mighty are His mofetim (wonders)! His kingdom is a malchut olam (everlasting kingdom), and His dominion is from dor v’dor (generation to generation).

^4 (4:1) I, Nevuchadnetzar, was at rest in mine bais, and prospering in my heikhal (palace).

^5 (4:2) I saw a chalom (dream) which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the chazonot (visions) of my head troubled me.

^6 (4:3) Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the chachamim of Babylon before me, that they might give me da’as of the pesher (interpretation, explanation) of the chalom (dream).

^7 (4:4) Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Kasdim (Chaldeans), and the soothsayers; and I told the chalom (dream) before them; but they did not make known unto me the pesher thereof.

^8 (4:5) But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Beltshatzar, according to hashem of my G-d, and in whom is the Ruach Elohin Kadishin (Ruach Elohim HaKadosh); and before him I told the chalom (dream), saying,

^9 (4:6) O Beltshatzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Ruach Elohin Kadishin (Ruach Elohim HaKadosh) is in thee, and no raz (secret, mystery) troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my chalom (dream) that I have seen, and the pesher thereof.

^10 (4:7) Thus were the chazonot of mine head in my bed; I was looking, and hinei, an etz (tree) in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.

^11 (4:8) The etz grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto Shomayim, and visibility thereof extended to the end of kol ha’aretz;

^12 (4:9) The leaves thereof were lovely, and the p’ri thereof abundant, and in it was food for all; the beasts of the field found shade under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and kol basar was fed of it.

^13 (4:10) I saw in the chazonot of my head upon my bed, and, hinei, an ir (watcher, messenger), a malach hakodesh, came down from Shomayim.

^14 (4:11) He cried with strength, and said thus, Chop down the tree, and cut off his branches, strip off his leaves, and scatter his p’ri; let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches.

^15 (4:12) Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him partake with the beasts in the grass of ha’aretz;

^16 (4:13) Let his lev (heart) be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s lev be given unto him; and let seven times (seasons, years) pass over him.

^17 (4:14) This matter is by the decree of the irin (watchers), and the demand by the word of the Kadoshim (holy ones), to the intent that the living may have da’as that Elyon (Most High) ruleth in the malchut haAdam, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

^18 (4:15) This chalom (dream) I, king Nevuchadnetzar, have seen. Now thou, O Beltshatzar, declare the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof, forasmuch as all the chachamim of my malchut are not able to make known unto me the pesher (interpretation, explanation); but thou art able; for the Ruach Elohin Kadishin (Ruach Elohim HaKadosh) is in thee.

^19 (4:16) Then Daniel, whose name was Beltshatzar, was perplexed for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke, and said, Beltshatzar, let not the chalom (dream), or the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof, trouble thee. Beltshatzar answered and said, Mari (my master), if only the chalom (dream) concerned them that hate thee, and the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof thine enemies.

^20 (4:17) The etz that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto Shomayim, and the visibility thereof extended to kol ha’aretz;

^21 (4:18) Whose leaves were lovely, and the p’ri thereof abundant, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of heaven had their habitation;

^22 (4:19) It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong; for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto Shomayim, and thy dominion to the end of ha’aretz.

^23 (4:20) And whereas the king saw an ir (watcher), a malach hakodesh, come down from Shomayim, and saying, Chop the etz down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him partake with the beasts of the field, till seven times (seasons, years) pass over him.

^24 (4:21) This is the pesher (interpretation, explanation), O king, and this is the decree of Elyon (Most High), which is come upon mari (my master) the king;

^25 (4:22) That they shall drive thee from anashim, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times (seasons, years) shall pass over thee, till thou have da’as that Elyon (Most High) ruleth in the malchut haAdam, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.

^26 (4:23) And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the etz with its roots, thy malchut shall be assured unto thee, after that thou shalt have da’as that Shomayim (G-d) does rule.

^27 (4:24) Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by tzedek (righteousness), and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a prolonging of thy tranquillity.

^28 (4:25) All this came upon the king Nevuchadnetzar.

^29 (4:26) At the end of twelve months he walked about the heikhal of the malchut of Babylon.

^30 (4:27) The melech spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?

^31 (4:28) While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from Shomayim, saying, O king Nevuchadnetzar, to thee it is spoken: The malchut has been taken from thee.

^32 (4:29) And they shall drive thee from anashim, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times (seasons, years) shall pass over thee, until thou have da’as that Elyon ruleth in the malchut haAdam, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.

^33 (4:30) The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nevuchadnetzar, and he was driven from anashim, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

^34 (4:31) And at the end of the time, I, Nevuchadnetzar, lifted up mine eyes unto Shomayim, and mine da’as returned unto me, and I said Baruch El Elyon, and I praised and honored Him that liveth forever, Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His Malchut is from dor v’dor;

^35 (4:32) And all the inhabitants of ha’aretz are considered as nothing, and He doeth according to His will in the Tzivos HaShomayim, and among the inhabitants of ha’aretz; and none can restrain His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?

^36 (4:33) At the same time my da’as returned unto me; and for the kavod of my malchut, mine honor and splendor returned unto me; and my counselors and my nobles sought unto me; and I was established in my malchut, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

^37 (4:34) Now I Nevuchadnetzar praise and extol and honor the Melech HaShomayim, all Whose works are emes, and His ways mishpat; and those that walk in ga’avah (pride) He is able to abase.

5 Belshatzar the king made a mishteh gadol (great feast) to a thousand of his nobles, and drank wine before the thousand.

² Belshatzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his forefather Nevuchadnetzar had taken out of the Beis Hamikdash which was in Yerushalayim, that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

³ Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the Beis Hamikdash of the Beis HaElohim which was at Yerushalayim, and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

⁴ They drank wine, and praised the g-ds of gold, and of silver, of bronze, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

⁵ In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s yad (hand), and wrote opposite the menorah upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s heikhal, and the king saw the part of the yad that wrote.

⁶ Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his machsh’vot troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosed, and his knees knocked together.

⁷ The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Kasdim (Chaldeans), and the soothsayers. And the king spoke, and said to the chachamim of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this mikhtav (writing), and show me the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the malchut.

⁸ Then came in all the king’s chachamim, but they could not read the mikhtav (writing), nor make known to the king the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof.

⁹ Then was king Belshatzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his nobles were perplexed.

¹⁰ Now the malkah (queen) by reason of the words of the king and his nobles came into the banquet house; and the malkah (queen) spoke and said, O king, live forever; let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed.

¹¹ There is a man in thy malchut, in whom is the Ruach Elohin Kadishin (Ruach Elohim HaKadosh) and in the days of thy forefather ohr and seichel and chochmah, like the chochmah of HaElohim, was found in him; the king Nevuchadnetzar thy forefather, the king, I say, thy forefather, made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Kasdim (Chaldeans), and soothsayers;

¹² Forasmuch as an excellent ruach, and da’as, and seichel, interpreting of chalomot, and solving riddles, and explaining enigmas, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Beltshatzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the pesher (interpretation, explanation).

¹³ Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spoke and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the Bnei Golus of Yehudah, whom the king my forefather brought out of Yehudah?

¹⁴ I have even heard of thee, that the Ruach Elohim is in thee, and that ohr and seichel and excellent chochmah is found in thee.

¹⁵ And now the chachamim, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this mikhtav (writing), and give me da’as of the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof, but they could not show the pesher (interpretation, explanation) of the thing;

¹⁶ And I have heard of thee, that thou canst give interpretations, and explain enigmas; now if thou canst read the mikhtav (writing), and make known to me the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof, thou shalt be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the malchut.

¹⁷ Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the mikhtav (writing) unto the king, and make known to him the pesher (interpretation, explanation).

¹⁸ O thou king, El Elyon gave Nevuchadnetzar thy forefather a malchut, and gedulah (greatness), and kavod (glory), and hadar (majesty);

¹⁹ And for the gedulah that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him; whom he would he violently killed; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.

²⁰ But when his heart was lifted up, and his ruach hardened in ga’avah (pride), he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his kavod (glory) from him;

²¹ And he was driven from the bnei haAdam; and his lev was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys; they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that El Elyon ruled in the malchut haAdam, and that He appointeth over it whomsoever He will.

²² And thou his son, O Belshatzar, hast not humbled thine lev, though thou had da’as of all this;

²³ But hast lifted up thyself against Hashem of Shomayim; and they have brought the vessels of His Beis Hamikdash before thee, and thou, and thy nobles, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the g-ds of silver, and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the G-d in Whose hand thy breath is, and Whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.

²⁴ Then was the part of the yad sent from Him; and this mikhtav (writing) was written.

²⁵ And this is the mikhtav (writing) that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UFARSIN.

²⁶ This is the pesher (interpretation, explanation) of the thing; MENE; G-d hath numbered thy malchut, and finished with it.

²⁷ TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

²⁸ PERES; Thy malchut is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

²⁹ Then commanded Belshatzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the malchut.

³⁰ In that night was Belshatzar the king of the Kasdim slain.

^31 (6:1) And Daryavesh the Mede took the malchut, being about 62 years old.

6 It pleased Daryavesh to set over the malchut an hundred and twenty satraps, which should be over the whole malchut;

^2 (6:3) And over these three overseers, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give accounts unto them, and that the king should suffer no loss.

^3 (6:4) Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the overseers and satraps, because an excellent ruach was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole malchut.

^4 (6:5) Then the overseers and satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the malchut; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was trustworthy, neither was there any negligence or corrupt thing found in him.

^5 (6:6) Then said these anashim, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the dat (law, religion) of his G-d.

^6 (6:7) Then these overseers and satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Daryavesh, L’olam yicheyeh (live for ever!)

^7 (6:8) All the overseers of the malchut, the administrators, and the satraps, the counselors, and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall make a petition of any g-d or man for shloshim yom (thirty days), except of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

^8 (6:9) Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the ketav (writing, document), that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

^9 (6:10) Wherefore king Daryavesh signed the written decree.

^10 (6:11) Now when Daniel knew that the ketav was signed, he went into his bais; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Yerushalayim, he kneeled down three times that day, and davened, and gave thanks before his G-d, as he had been doing before this.

^11 (6:12) Then these anashim assembled, and found Daniel davening and making supplication before his G-d.

^12 (6:13) Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king’s decree: Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall make a petition of any g-d or man within shloshim yom, except of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed.

^13 (6:14) Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the Bnei Golus of Yehudah, shows no regard for thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

^14 (6:15) Then the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him, and he did strive till the going down of the shemesh to deliver him.

^15 (6:16) Then these anashim assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Have da’as, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

^16 (6:17) Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spoke and said unto Daniel, Elohecha (Thy G-d) whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.

^17 (6:18) And an even (stone) was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring, and with the signet ring of his nobles, that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

^18 (6:19) Then the king went to his heikhal, and spent the night fasting, neither were entertainments brought before him, and his sheynah fled from him.

^19 (6:20) Then the king arose very early in the boker, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

^20 (6:21) And when he came to the den, he cried with an anguished voice unto Daniel; and the king spoke and said to Daniel, O Daniel, eved of HaElohim HaChai, is thy G-d, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

^21 (6:22) Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, L’olam yicheyeh (live for ever).

^22 (6:23) My G-d hath sent his malach, and hath shut the lions’ mouths that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before Him innocence was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no rah (wrong).

^23 (6:24) Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had emunah in his G-d.

^24 (6:25) And the king commanded, and they brought those anashim which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

^25 (6:26) Then king Daryavesh wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in kol ha’aretz; Shalom aleichem l’machbir (Peace be multiplied unto you).

^26 (6:27) I make a decree, That in every dominion of my malchut men must tremble and fear before the G-d of Daniel, for He is HaElohim HaChai, and stedfast l’olamim (forever), and His malchut that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even ad hasof (unto the end).

^27 (6:28) He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh otot and mofetim in Shomayim and in ha’aretz, Who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

^28 (6:29) So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Daryavesh, and in the reign of Koresh (Cyrus) the Persian.

7 In the first year of Belshatzar melech Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head upon his bed; then he wrote down the dream, and the sum of the matters he related.

² Daniel answered and said, I saw in my vision that came by night, and, hinei, the arbah ruchot (four winds) of Shomayim burst forth upon the yam hagadol (great sea).

³ And four chayyot hagedolot (great beasts) came up from the yam, different one from another.

⁴ Harishonah (the first) was like an arye (lion), and had eagle’s wings. I was beholding until its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from ha’aretz, and was made to stand upon two feet like a man, and a man’s lev was given to it [see Daniel 4:34 (4:31)].

⁵ And hinei another beast, a second, like a bear, and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and it was said thus unto it, Arise, devour much basar (flesh).

⁶ After this I beheld, and hinei another, like a leopard, which had upon its sides four wings of a bird; the beast had also arba’ah rashim (four heads) and dominion was given to it.

⁷ After this I saw in the night visions, and hinei a fourth Chayyah (Beast), dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it was devouring and crushing, and trampling the residue with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had eser karnayim (ten horns).

⁸ I was contemplating the karnayim (horns), and, hinei, there came up among them another keren (horn), a little one, before whom there were three of the first karnayim plucked up by the roots; and, hinei, in this keren were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

⁹ I was beholding until kisot (thrones) were placed, and the Atik Yomin (Ancient of Days, i.e., Hashem) did sit, whose raiment was like white snow, and the hair of His rosh like pure wool; His kes (throne) was like the fiery flames, and its wheels like burning eish.

¹⁰ A river of eish was flowing and came forth from before Him; thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him; the court sat, and the sfarim (books) were opened.

¹¹ I was beholding from (the time of) the voice of the arrogant words which the keren [Anti-Moshiach] spoke, I was beholding even till the Chayyah (Beast) was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning eish.

¹² As concerning the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a time and a season.

¹³ I was beholding in visions of the night, and, hinei, one like a Bar Enosh (Ben Adam, i.e., Moshiach) came with the clouds of Shomayim, and came to the Atik Yomin (Ancient of Days, i.e., Hashem), and before Him He was brought.

¹⁴ And there was given Him (Moshiach) dominion, and honor, and sovereignty, that all people, Goyim, tongues, should pey-lammed-chet (see Dan 3:12, serve, reverence as deity Him (Moshiach). His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His (Messianic) Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

¹⁵ As for me, Daniel, my ruach was anxious in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head were troubling me.

¹⁶ I drew near to one of the attendants to ask him the certainty concerning all this; and he said to me that he would make me to have da’as of the pesher (interpretation) of the things.

¹⁷ These chayyot hagedolot (great beasts), which are arbah (four), are four melachim, which shall arise out of ha’aretz.

¹⁸ But the kadoshim Elyon (holy ones of the Most High) shall receive the Kingdom, and shall possess the Kingdom forever, even forever and ever.

¹⁹ Then I desired to make sure concerning the fourth Chayyah (Beast), which was different from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and its claws brass; it was devouring, crushing, and stamped the residue with its feet;

²⁰ And concerning the eser karnayim (ten horns) that were in its head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell, even of that horn (Anti-Moshiach) that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogant things, which seemed greater than the others.

²¹ I was beholding, and the same keren (horn, Anti-Moshiach) made war against the kadoshim, and prevailed against them;

²² Until the Atik Yomin (Ancient of Days, Hashem) came, and judgment was given for the kadoshim Elyon; and the time came that the kadoshim possessed the Kingdom.

²³ This is what he said: The fourth Chayyah (Beast) shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be different from all kingdoms, and shall devour kol ha’aretz, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

²⁴ And the eser karnayim (ten horns) out of this kingdom are asarah melachim (ten kings) that shall arise, and another shall arise after them; and he shall be different from the first, and he shall subdue three melachim.

²⁵ And he (Anti-Moshiach) shall speak great words against Elyon, and shall wear out the kadoshim Elyon, and think to change set times and law, and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.

²⁶ But judgment was given, and there was taken away its [Anti-Moshiach’s] power to destroy and to annihilate unto the end.

²⁷ And the dominion and sovereignty, and greatness of the kingdom under kol HaShomayim, shall be given to the people of the kadoshim Elyon, whose kingdom is a malchut olam (an everlasting kingdom), and all dominions shall serve and obey them.

²⁸ Unto this point is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts much troubled me, and the color of my countenance changed upon me, but I kept the matter in my lev. [T.N. Chanukah remembers the restored and re-dedicated worship in Jerusalem 164 B.C.E. after the Anti-Moshiachlike activities of Antiochus Epiphanes predicted in chp 8 below.]

8 In the shnat shalosh (third year) of the reign of Belshatzar HaMelech, a chazon (vision) appeared unto me, Daniel, after that which appeared unto me in the beginning.

² And I beheld in a chazon; and it came to pass, while I was seeing, that I was in Shushan (Susa) the fortress, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a chazon, and I was by the stream Ulai.

³ Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, hinei, there stood before the stream a ram which had two karnayim (horns), and the two karnayim were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher was coming up last.

⁴ I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no chayyot (beasts) might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and made a great display of strength.

⁵ And as I was considering, hinei, a he-goat was coming from the west on the face of kol ha’aretz, and it was not touching the earth; and as to the goat it had a conspicuous keren (horn) between its eyes.

⁶ And he came to the ram that had two karnayim, which I had seen standing before the stream, and he ran against him with the wrath of his koach (strength).

⁷ And I saw him approaching the ram, and he was enraged against him, and he smote the ram, broke his two karnayim, and there was no koach in the ram to stand before him, and he cast him down to the ground, and trampled him; there was none to deliver the ram from him.

⁸ Therefore the he-goat was acting very presumptuously; and when he was powerful, the keren hagedolah (great horn, [i.e., Alexander’s Empire]) was broken; and in the place of it came up conspicuously four, toward the arbah ruchot HaShomayim (the four winds of Heaven).

⁹ And out of one of them came forth a little horn [Antiochus Epiphanes], which became exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the [eretz] hatzevi (the glorious land, [i.e., Eretz Israel]).

¹⁰ And it became great, even unto the tzva HaShomayim; and it caused to fall down to the earth some of the host and some of the kokhavim it trampled.

¹¹ Yea, he magnified himself even unto the Sar HaTzava, and the daily sacrifice was taken away from Him, and the place of His Mikdash was cast down.

¹² And a tzva (army) was given over to oppose the daily sacrifice on account of peysha (transgression, rebellion), and it cast down emes to the ground; and it acted, and prospered.

¹³ Then I heard one kadosh (angel) speaking, and another kadosh said unto that certain kadosh which spoke, How long shall be the chazon concerning the daily sacrifice, and the desolating peysha (transgression), to give both the Kodesh (Sanctuary) and the tzva (host) to be trodden under foot?

¹⁴ And he said unto me, Unto erev-boker two thousand and three hundred; then shall the Kodesh (Sanctuary) be vindicated.

¹⁵ And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, was beholding the chazon, that I sought the meaning; then, hinei, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

¹⁶ And I heard a kol adam (man’s voice) amidst the Ulai, and he called, and said, Gavriel, cause this one to understand the vision [see Daniel 9:21].

¹⁷ So he came near where I stood; and as he came, I was filled with fear, and I fell down upon my face, but he said unto me, Understand, O ben adam, the chazon (vision) points to the time of the ketz (end).

¹⁸ Now while he was speaking with me, I swooned upon my face toward the ground, but he touched me, and made me stand upright.

¹⁹ And he said, Hineni, I will cause thee to know that which shall take place in the latter part of HaZa’am (the Wrath period), since at a mo’ed (an appointed time) the Ketz (End) shall be.

²⁰ The ram which thou sawest having two karnayim are the melachim of Media and Paras (Persia).

²¹ And the shaggy he-goat is melech Yavan (the king of Greece), and the keren hagedolah (great horn) that is between his eyes is the melech harishon (the first king [ i.e., Alexander]).

²² Now one being broken and four stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in its koach (strength).

²³ And in the latter time of their kingdom, when haposhe’im (the transgressors, the ones rebelling) are come to the full, a melech of unyielding countenance, and mastering intrigues, shall stand up.

²⁴ And his koach shall be mighty, but not by his own koach; and he shall cause astounding destruction, and shall prosper, and accomplish, and shall destroy the mighty and Am Kedoshim (the Holy People).

²⁵ And by his cunning also he shall cause mirmah (deceit) to prosper through his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his lev, and by peace shall destroy rabbim (many); he shall also stand up against the Sar Sarim (Prince of Princes); but he shall be broken without [human] hand.

²⁶ And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is emes; and thou! Shut up the chazon; for it shall be for many yamim [i.e., distant times].

²⁷ And I Daniel was faint, and lay ill several yamim; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but without understanding it.

9 In the shnat achat (first year) of Daryavesh ben Achashverosh, by zera (descent) a Mede, who was made melech over the realm of the Kasdim (Chaldeans);

² In the shnat achat of his reign, I, Daniel, received binah (understanding) from the Sfarim (books, Kitvei Hakodesh) of the number of the shanim, that the Devar Hashem was unto Yirmeyah HaNavi, with respect to the desolations of Yerushalayim, SHIVIM SHANAH must be completed [Yirmeyah 25:11; 29:10].

³ And I set my face unto Adonoi HaElohim, to plead by tefillah and tachanunim (supplications), with a tzom, and sackcloth, and ashes;

⁴ And I davened unto Hashem Elohai, and I made vidduy (confession of sin), and said, O Adonoi, HaEl HaGadol V’HaNorah (the great and dreadful G-d), Shomer HaBrit V’HaChesed (Who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness) to them that love Him, and to them that are shomrei mitzvot;

⁵ We have sinned, and we have committed iniquity, and we have done wickedly, and we have rebelled, even by departing from Thy mitzvot and from Thy mishpatim;

⁶ Neither have we heeded or listened unto Thy avadim the nevi’im, which spoke in Thy Name unto our Melachim, our Sarim (princes), and our Avot, and to kol Am HaAretz.

⁷ To Thee, Adonoi, is the tzedakah, but unto us is boshet hapanim (shame of face), as at yom hazeh; to the men of Yehudah, and to the yoshvei Yerushalayim, and unto kol Yisroel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither Thou hast driven them, because of their ma’al (betrayal, treachery) wherein they have dealt unfaithfully against Thee.

⁸ O Hashem, to us belongeth boshet hapanim, to our Melachim, to our Sarim (princes), and to our Avot, because we have sinned against Thee.

⁹ To Adonoi Eloheinu belong the rachamim and the selichot (forgiveness), for we have rebelled against Him;

¹⁰ Neither have we obeyed the voice of Hashem Eloheinu, to walk in His torot, which He has set before us by the hand of His avadim the Nevi’im.

¹¹ Yea, kol Yisroel has transgressed Thy Torah, even by departing, refusing to obey Thy kol (voice); therefore ha’alah (the curse [Devarim 29:18]) is poured upon us, and hashevuah (the oath) that is written in the Torat Moshe the Eved HaElohim, because we have sinned against Him. [Vayikra 26:14f; Devarim 28:15f]

¹² And He hath confirmed His words, which He spoke concerning us, and concerning our shofetim who judged us, that He would bring upon us a ra’ah gedolah, so that there has not been done under kol HaShomayim what has been done to Yerushalayim.

¹³ Even as it is written in the Torat Moshe, all hara’ah hazot (this evil) is come upon us, yet we have not mollified the face of Hashem Eloheinu, by turning away from avoneinu (our iniquities), and by having seichel (discernment) in Thy Emes.

¹⁴ Therefore hath Hashem watched upon the rah, and brought it upon us; for Hashem Eloheinu is tzaddik in all His ma’asim which He doeth, for we obeyed not His kol (voice).

¹⁵ And now, Adonoi Eloheinu, Who hast brought Thy people forth out of Eretz Mitzrayim with a yad chazakah (mighty hand), and hast gotten Thee renown, as at yom hazeh, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

¹⁶ O Adonoi, according to all Thy tzidkot, I beseech Thee, let Thine anger and Thy fury be turned away from Thy Ir (City) Yerushalayim, Thy Har Kodesh, because for chatta’einu, and for the avonot Avoteinu, Yerushalayim and Thy people are become a reproach, an object of scorn to all around about us.

¹⁷ Now therefore, shema, Eloheinu, hear the tefillah of Thy eved, and his tachanunim (supplications), and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy Mikdash [Beis HaMikdash] that is desolate, lema’an (for the sake of) Adonoi.

¹⁸ O Elohai, incline Thine ear, and shema; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and HaIr which is called by Thy Name; for we do not present tachanuneinu (our supplications) before Thee on account of tzidkoteinu, but for the sake of Thy rachamim harabbim.

¹⁹ Adonoi, hear; Adonoi, forgive; Adonoi, hearken and act; delay not, for Thine own sake, O Elohai; for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy Name.

²⁰ And while I was speaking, and davening tefillos, and making vidduy (confession of sin) for me and for Ami Yisroel, and laying my techinnah (petition) before Hashem Elohai for the sake of the Har Kodesh of Elohai;

²¹ Yea, while I was davening in tefillah, even haish [see 8:15] Gavriel, whom I had seen in the chazon in the beginning, being caused to fly in weariness, reached me about the time of the minchat erev.

²² And he instructed me, and spoke with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to make thee have seichel in binah.

²³ At the beginning of thy tachanunim (supplications) a commandment went forth, and I am come to make the word known; for thou art greatly valued; therefore understand the devar, and consider the vision.

²⁴ Shivi’im heptads is decreed upon thy people and upon thy Ir Kodesh (Holy City), to restrain the peysha (transgression), and to make an end of chattat (sin), and to make kapporah for avon, and to bring in Tzedek Olamim (Everlasting Righteousness), and to seal up the chazon and navi, and to anoint the Kodesh HaKodashim.

²⁵ Have da’as, therefore, and get seichel, that from the going forth of the decree to restore and to rebuild Yerushalayim unto Moshiach Nagid shall be shivah heptads, and threescore and two heptads; the rechov shall be built again, and the charutz, even in troublous times.

²⁶ And after threescore and two heptads, yikaret (will be cut off) Moshiach [Yeshayah 53:8], but not for himself [Yeshayah 53:4-6,8]; and the troops of the coming nagid shall destroy the Ir and the Kodesh (Beis Hamikdash, i.e., 70.C.E.); and the end thereof shall come with a flood, and unto the end there shall be war. Desolations are determined.

²⁷ And he shall confirm brit (covenant) with rabbim for one heptad; and in the midst of the heptad he shall cause the zevach and the minchah to cease, and on the kenaf (wing) of the abominations is one making desolate, even until the complete destruction, a destruction that is decreed, shall be poured out upon the Shomem (Desolator, Destroyer).

10 In the shnat shlosh of Koresh (Cyrus) melech Paras (Persia) a davar (word) was revealed unto Daniel, shmo (his name) called Beltshatzar; and emes was the davar, and of a tzava gadol (great conflict, affliction); and he understood the davar, and had binah of the vision.

² In those days I Daniel was mourning a full shloshah shavu’im (three weeks).

³ Choice lechem I did not eat, neither came basar nor yayin into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, until the completing of the full shloshet shavu’im.

⁴ And in the four and twentieth yom of the chodesh harishon (first month), as I was on the bank of the nahar hagadol (the great river) which is the Tigris;

⁵ Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, hinei, there before me was as an ish clothed in linen, around whose waist was a belt of the finest gold of Uphaz.

⁶ His geviyah (body) also was like the chrysolite, and his face like the appearance of lightning, and his eyes like torches of eish, and his zero’ot (arms) and his raglayim (feet) like in color to polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the kol hamon (voice of a multitude).

⁷ And I Daniel alone saw the vision, for the anashim that were with me saw not the vision; but a charadah gedolah (great terror) fell upon them, and they fled, for they hid themselves.

⁸ Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no ko’ach (strength) in me, for my hod (comeliness) was changed upon me into disfigurement, and I retained no ko’ach.

⁹ Then I heard the kol (voice) of his words, and when I heard the kol of his words, then I was in a deep sleep on my face, and my face was on the ground.

¹⁰ And, hinei, a yad (hand) touched me, and raised me, trembling, upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

¹¹ And he said unto me, O Daniel, ish chamudot (man greatly valued, beloved), understand the devarim that I speak unto thee, and stand upright, for unto thee now shulachti (I was sent). And when he had spoken the davar hazeh (this word) unto me, I stood trembling.

¹² Then said he unto me, Al tirah (fear not), Daniel, for from the yom harishon (first day) that thou didst set thine lev to understand, oolehitannot (and to afflict, humble thyself) before Eloheicha, thy words were heard, and I am come because of thy words.

¹³ But the Sar Malchut Paras (Prince of the Kingdom of Persia) was standing before me 21 yamim; but, hinei, Micha’el, one of the Sarim HaRishonim came to help me; and I was detained there with the Melachim Paras.

¹⁴ Now I am come to give thee binah (understanding) of what shall befall thy People in the acharit hayamim ([Messianic] latter days); for there is still a chazon (vision) for [those] yamim (days).

¹⁵ And while he was speaking such devarim unto me, I bowed my face toward the ground, and I became unable to speak.

¹⁶ And, hinei, one with the likeness of the bnei adam touched my lips; then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said unto him that stood before me, Adoni, because of the vision my pangs have overcome me, and I have retained no ko’ach.

¹⁷ For how is the eved adoni here able to speak with such as adoni? For as for me, now no ko’ach remains in me, neither is there neshamah (breath) left in me.

¹⁸ Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, v’yechazkeini (and he strengthened me),

¹⁹ And said, Al tira, ish chamudot (fear not, O man greatly valued, beloved); Shalom to you; chazak (be strong), yea, chazak. And when he had spoken unto me, I felt myself strengthened, and said, Let adoni speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

²⁰ Then said he, Knowest thou why I have come unto thee? And now I shall return to fight against the Sar Paras (Prince of Persia); and when I am gone forth, hinei! The Sar Yavan (Prince of Greece) comes.

²¹ But I shall make known to thee that which is inscribed in the Writing of Emes; and there is no one mitchazak (putting forth strength) with me in these things, but Micha’el your Sar.

11 Also I, in the shnat achat of Daryavesh the Mede, I stood to support and to strengthen him.

² And now will I show thee the emes. Hinei, yet shloshah melachim will arise in Paras (Persia); and the fourth shall with osher gadol (great richness) be abundantly rich above all; and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Yavan (Greece).

³ And a melech gibbor shall arise, that shall rule with mimshal rav (great dominion), and do kirtzono (according to his will).

⁴ And when he shall arise, his malchut (kingdom) shall be broken, and shall be divided to the araba ruchot HaShomayim; and not to his posterity, nor according to his rule which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others apart from these [see Daniel 8:8].

⁵ And HaMelech HaNegev (the King of the South) shall be strong, and one of his sarim (princes), and he shall be strong above him, and will rule; a great rule is his rule.

⁶ And at the end of some shanim they shall join themselves together as allies; for the daughter of HaMelech HaNegev shall come unto the Melech HaTzafon (King of the North) to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the koach hazero’a; neither shall he stand, nor his zero’a, but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that fathered her, and he that strengthened her in those times.

⁷ But out of a netzer of her roots shall one stand up in his place, which shall come unto an army, and shall enter into the stronghold of HaMelech HaTzafon, and shall deal with them, and shall show strength;

⁸ And also their g-ds with their molten images and with their precious vessels of silver and gold he will bring into captivity to Mitzrayim; and he shall refrain some shanim from (attacking) HaMelech HaTzafon.

⁹ So he (HaMelech HaTzafon) shall come into his kingdom of HaMelech HaNegev and shall return into his own land.

¹⁰ But his banim shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces; and he shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through; then shall he return, and shall stir himself up, even to his fortress.

¹¹ And HaMelech HaNegev shall be moved with rage, and shall go forth and fight with him, even with HaMelech HaTzafon; and he shall raise a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.

¹² And the multitude shall be carried away; his lev shall be lifted up; and he shall cause thousands to fall, but will not be strong.

¹³ For HaMelech HaTzafon shall again raise a multitude, greater than the former, and at the end of some shanim he will certainly come with a great army and with great substance;

¹⁴ And in those times many shall stand up against HaMelech HaNegev; also the sons of the transgressors of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall stumble.

¹⁵ So HaMelech HaTzafon shall come, and shall cast up an entrenchment, and shall take a fortified city; and the forces of the South shall not stand, even their choicest troops, and there is no power to stand.

¹⁶ But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him; and he shall stand in Eretz HaTzevi (Beautiful Land), and destruction (shall be) in his hand.

¹⁷ He shall also set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and an agreement is with him; and he shall make it; and he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it, but she shall not stand, neither be for him.

¹⁸ After he turns his face unto the isles, and shall take many, a magistrate shall cause his reproach to cease for him except that his reproach shall return to him.

¹⁹ Then he shall turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and will not be found.

²⁰ Then shall stand up in his place one who causes an exactor to pass through for the glory of the malchut, but within a few yamim he shall be broken, neither in anger, nor in battle.

²¹ And in his place shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the glory of the malchut but he shall come in unawares, and obtain the kingdom by intrigues.

²² And an overwhelming army will be swept away before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the Nagid Brit.

²³ And after the league made with him he shall practice deceit, for he shall go up, and shall become strong with a small people.

²⁴ He shall enter unawares even into the fattest of the provinces; and he shall do that which his avot have not done, nor his avot of his avot; he shall scatter among them the spoil and booty and possessions, yea, and he shall plan his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.

²⁵ And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the Melech HaNegev with a great army; and HaMelech HaNegev shall be stirred up for battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand; for they shall devise devices against him.

²⁶ Yea, they that eat of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow, and many shall fall down slain.

²⁷ And the hearts of both of these melachim shall be for evil, and they shall speak lies at one shulchan, but it shall not prosper; for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.

²⁸ Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his lev shall be against the Brit Kodesh; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.

²⁹ At the time appointed he shall return, and come again to the South; but it shall not be as at the first so at the last.

³⁰ For the ships of Kittim shall come against him; therefore he shall be disheartened and shall return, and rage against the Brit Kodesh so shall he do; he shall even return, and will fix his attention upon those that forsake the Brit Kodesh.

³¹ And forces from him will stand, and they shall desecrate the Mikdash, the Citadel, and shall do away with HaTamid, and set up the Shikkutz MeShomem.

³² And such as do wickedly against the Brit shall he pervert in intrigue, but the people who know their G-d shall be strong and will do.

³³ And they that understand among the people shall instruct many; yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and through despoilment for many yamim.

³⁴ Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help, but many shall cleave to them in intrigue.

³⁵ And some of them of understanding shall fall to try them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end, because it is yet for a time appointed.

³⁶ And HaMelech shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every g-d, and shall speak monstous things against the G-d of g-ds, and shall prosper till the wrath be accomplished; for that is determined shall be done.

³⁷ Neither shall he regard the g-d of his avot, nor the desire of women, nor regard any g-d, for he shall magnify himself above all.

³⁸ But in his place shall he honor the g-d of fortresses, and a g-d whom his avot knew not shall he honor with zahav, and kesef, and with precious stones, and things desired.

³⁹ Thus shall he do to the fortresses of the strongholds with the help of a foreign g-d, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall distribute the land for a price.

⁴⁰ And at the time of the end shall HaMelech HaNegev butt against him, and HaMelech HaTzafon shall storm against him with chariots, and with parash, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries and shall overflow and pass over.

⁴¹ He shall enter also into the Eretz HaTzevi, and many will stumble, but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moav, and the chief of the bnei Ammon.

⁴² He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries, and Eretz Mitzrayim shall not escape.

⁴³ But he shall rule over the deposits of zahav and of kesef, and over all the desired things of Mitzrayim; and the Libyans and the Cushites shall be at his heels.

⁴⁴ But reports out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go forth with cheimah gedolah (great fury) to destroy, and to annihilate many.

⁴⁵ And he shall plant the tents of his pavilion between the sea and the Har Tzevi Kodesh (Beautiful Holy Mountain); yet he shall come to his end, and there is none to help him.

12 And at that time shall Micha’el stand, the Sar HaGadol who standeth over the banim of thy people, and there shall be an et tzarah (time of tribulation), such as has not been from the existence of a nation to that time; and in that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the Sefer.

² And rabbim of them that sleep in the admat aphar (dust of the ground) shall awake, some to Chayyei Olam (Everlasting Life), and some to reproaches (shames) and Dera’on Olam (Everlasting Contempt, Abhorrence, Aversion, i.e., Everlasting Gehinnom.[T.N. Onesh Olam is here made more fearsome in light of the prevalent neglect of Scripture in favor of non-Biblical studies]).

³ And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to tzedakah (righteousness) as the kokhavim (stars) leolam v’ed (forever and ever).

⁴ But thou, O Daniel, shut up the devarim (words), and seal the sefer, until the Et Ketz (Time of the End): rabbim shall run to and fro, that da’as (knowledge) may be increased.

⁵ Then I Daniel looked, and, hinei, two others were standing, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.

⁶ And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the Ketz of these wonders?

⁷ And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto Shomayim, and swore, By the One who liveth haolam (forever), it shall be for a time, times, and a half a time; and when there is an end of breaking in pieces the yad Am Kodesh (power of the Holy People), all these things shall come to an end.

⁸ And I heard, but I understood not. Then said I, Adoni, what shall be the end of these things?

⁹ And he said, Go thy way, Daniel, for the devarim are closed up and sealed till the Et Ketz (Time of the End).

¹⁰ Many shall be purified, and made white, and refined; but the reshaim (wicked) shall do wickedly; and none of the resha’im shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

¹¹ And from the time that HaTamid (the Daily Sacrifice) shall be taken away, and the Shikkutz Shomem (Abomination Causing Desolation) set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety yamim.

¹² Ashrei (blessed) is he who waiteth, and attains to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty yamim.

¹³ But thou, go till HaKetz; for thou shalt rest, and shall arise to thy allotted inheritance at the Ketz HaYamin (End of Days).

1 Now in the first year [539 B.C.E.] of Koresh Melech Paras (Persia), that the Devar Hashem by the mouth of Yirmeyah might be fulfilled, Hashem stirred up the ruach of Koresh Melech Paras (Persia), so that he made a proclamation throughout all his Malchut, and put it also in writing, saying,

² Thus saith Koresh Melech Paras (Persia), Hashem Elohei HaShomayim hath given me all the kingdoms of ha’aretz; and he hath charged me to build him Beis [Hamikdash] at Yerushalayim, which is in Yehudah.

³ Who is there among you of all His people, Elohav be with him, let him go up to Yerushalayim, which is in Yehudah, and build the Beis Hashem Elohei Yisroel, (He is HaElohim) which is in Yerushalayim.

⁴ And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with kesef, and with zahav, and with goods, and with livestock, beside the nedavah (freewill offering) for the Beis HaElohim that is in Yerushalayim.

⁵ Then rose up the chief of the avot of Yehudah and Binyamin, and the kohanim, and the Levi’im, with all them whose ruach HaElohim had stirred up, to go up to build the Beis Hashem which is in Yerushalayim.

⁶ And all they that were about them did strengthen their hands with vessels of kesef, with zahav, with goods, and with livestock, and with precious things, in addition to all their nedavot (freewill offerings).

⁷ Also HaMelech Koresh brought forth the vessels of the Beis Hashem, which Nevuchadnetzar had carried off out of Yerushalayim, and had put them in the bais (temple) of his g-ds;

⁸ Even those did Koresh Melech Paras (Persia) bring forth by the hand of Mitredat the treasurer, and counted them unto Sheshbatzar, the Nasi of Yehudah.

⁹ And this is the number of them; thirty basins of zahav, a thousand basins of kesef, nine and twenty knives,

¹⁰ Thirty bowls of zahav, kesef basins of a second kind four hundred and ten, and other vessels one thousand.

¹¹ All the vessels of zahav and of kesef were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbatzar bring up with them of the Golus that were brought up from Bavel unto Yerushalayim.

2 Now these are the people of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those of the Golus, whom Nevuchadnetzar Melech Bavel had carried away unto Babylon, and returned unto Yerushalayim and Yehudah, every one unto his town;

² Which came with Zerubavel; Yeshua, Nechemyah, Serayah, Re’elyah, Mordechai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rechum, Ba’anah. The number of the men of the Am Yisroel;

³ The Bnei Parosh, 2,172.

⁴ The Bnei Shephatyah, 372.

⁵ The Bnei Arach, 775.

⁶ The Bnei Pachat-Moav, of the Bnei Yeshua and Yoav, 2,812.

⁷ The Bnei Elam, 1,254.

⁸ The Bnei Zattu, 945.

⁹ The Bnei Zaccai, 760.

¹⁰ The Bnei Bani, 642.

¹¹ The Bnei Bevai, 623.

¹² The Bnei Azgad, 1,222.

¹³ The Bnei Adonikam, 666.

¹⁴ The Bnei Bigvai, 2,056.

¹⁵ The Bnei Adin, 454.

¹⁶ The Bnei Ater of Yechizkiyah, 98.

¹⁷ The Bnei Betzai, 323.

¹⁸ The Bnei Yorah, 112.

¹⁹ The Bnei Chashum, 223.

²⁰ The Bnei Gibbar, 95.

²¹ The Bnei Beit-Lechem, 123.

²² The men of Netophah, 56.

²³ The men of Anatot, 128.

²⁴ The Bnei Azmavet, 42.

²⁵ The Bnei Kiryat-Arim, Kephirah, and Be’erot, 743.

²⁶ The Bnei Ramah and Geva, 621.

²⁷ The men of Michmas, 122.

²⁸ The men of Beit-El and Ai, 223.

²⁹ The Bnei Nevo, 52.

³⁰ The Bnei Magbish, 156.

³¹ The children of the other Elam, 1,254.

³² The Bnei Charim, 320.

³³ The Bnei Lod, Chadid and Ono, 725.

³⁴ The Bnei Yericho, 345.

³⁵ The Bnei Senaah, 3,630.

³⁶ The kohanim; the Bnei Yedayah, of the Bais Yeshua, 973.

³⁷ The Bnei Immer, 1,052.

³⁸ The Bnei Pashchur, 1,247.

³⁹ The Bnei Charim, 1,017.

⁴⁰ The Levi’im; the Bnei Yeshua and Kadmiel, of the Bnei Hodavyah, 74.

⁴¹ The singers; the Bnei Asaph, 128.

⁴² The children of the gatekeepers; the Bnei Shallum, the Bnei Ater, the Bnei Talmon, the Bnei Akuv, the Bnei Chatita, the Bnei Shovai; in all 139.

⁴³ The Netinim; the Bnei Tzicha, the Bnei Chasupha, the Bnei Tabbaot,

⁴⁴ The Bnei Keros, the Bnei Siaha, the Bnei Padon,

⁴⁵ The Bnei Levanah, the Bnei Chagavah, the children of Akuv,

⁴⁶ The Bnei Chagav, the Bnei Shalmai, the Bnei Chanan,

⁴⁷ The Bnei Giddel, the Bnei Gachar, the Bnei Reayah,

⁴⁸ The Bnei Retzin, the Bnei Nekoda, the Bnei Gazzam,

⁴⁹ The Bnei Uzza, the Bnei Paseach, the Bnei Besai,

⁵⁰ The Bnei Asnah, the Bnei Meunim, the Bnei Nephusim,

⁵¹ The Bnei Bakbuk, the Bnei Chakupha, the Bnei Chachur,

⁵² The Bnei Batzlut, the Bnei Mechida, the Bnei Charsha,

⁵³ The Bnei Barkos, the Bnei Sisra, the Bnei Temach,

⁵⁴ The Bnei Netziach, the Bnei Chatipha.

⁵⁵ The Bnei Avdei Sh’lomo; the Bnei Sotai, the Bnei Hasopheret, the Bnei Peruda,

⁵⁶ The Bnei Ya’alah, the Bnei Darkon, the Bnei Giddel,

⁵⁷ The Bnei Shephatyah, the Bnei Chattil, the Bnei Pocheret-Hatzvayim, the Bnei Ami.

⁵⁸ All the Netinim, and the Bnei Avdei Sh’lomo, were three hundred ninety and two.

⁵⁹ And these were they which went up from Telmelach, Telcharsa, Keruv, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their Bais Avot, and their zera, whether they were of Yisroel;

⁶⁰ The Bnei Delaiah, the Bnei Toviyah, the Bnei Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.

⁶¹ And of the Bnei HaKohanim; the Bnei Chaviyah, the Bnei Hakotz, the Bnei Barzillai; which took a wife of the banot of Barzillai the Gileadi, and was named after their shem.

⁶² These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore were they, as polluted, put from the kehunah.

⁶³ And the Tirshata (Governor) said unto them, that they should not eat of kodesh hakodashim, until there stood up a kohen with Urim and with Tummim.

⁶⁴ The Kol HaKahal together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore.

⁶⁵ This was in addition to their avadim (man servants) and their amahot (female servants) of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven; and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.

⁶⁶ Their susim were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;

⁶⁷ Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

⁶⁸ And some of the chief of the avot, when they came to the Beis Hashem which is at Yerushalayim, offered nedavot for the Beis HaElohim to rebuild it in its place.

⁶⁹ They gave according to their ability unto the Otzar for the work threescore and one thousand drachmas of zahav, and five thousand minas of kesef, and one hundred ketanot for the kohanim.

⁷⁰ So the kohanim, and the Levi’im, and some of the people, and the singers, and the gatekeepers, and the Netinim (servants of the Beis Hamikdash), dwelt in their towns, and kol Yisroel in their towns.

3 And when the seventh month was come, and the Bnei Yisroel were in the towns, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Yerushalayim.

² Then stood up Yeshua ben Yehotzadak [T.N. This man is the prophetic namesake of the coming Moshiach—see Zech 6:11-12], and his brethren the kohanim, and Zerubavel ben Sh’altiel, and his brethren, and built the Mizbe’ach Elohei Yisroel, to offer olot (burnt offerings) thereon, as it is written in the Torat Moshe Ish HaElohim.

³ And they set the Mizbe’ach upon its bases; despite their fear upon them because of the people of those lands, they offered olot (burnt offerings) thereon unto Hashem, even olot boker and erev.

⁴ They kept also the Chag HaSukkot, as it is written, and offered the daily olah by number, according to the mishpat, as the duty of every yom required;

⁵ And afterward offered the olat tamid, both of the chodeshim, and of all the Mo’adim of Hashem that were set apart as kodesh, and of every one that willingly offered a nedavah (freewill offering) unto Hashem.

⁶ From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer olot (burnt offerings) unto Hashem. But the Yesod (Foundation) of the Heikhal Hashem was not yet laid.

⁷ They gave kesef also unto the chotzvim (masons, stonecutters), and to the charashim (craftsmen, carpenters); and food, and mishteh (drink), and shemen (oil), unto them of Tzidon, and to them of Tzor, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea and on to Yafo, according to the rishyon (authorization, grant) that they had of Koresh Melech Paras (Persia).

⁸ Now in the second year of their coming unto the Beis HaElohim at Yerushalayim, in the second month, began Zerubavel ben Sh’altiel, and Yeshua ben Yehotzadak, and the she’ar (remnant) of their brethren the kohanim and the Levi’im, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Yerushalayim; and appointed the Levi’im, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the melechet Beis Hashem (work of the construction of the Beis Hamikdash).

⁹ Then stood Yeshua with his banim and his brethren, Kadmiel and his banim, the Bnei Yehudah, together, to set forward the workmen in the Beis HaElohim; the Bnei Chenadad, with their banim and their brethren the Levi’im.

¹⁰ And when the Bonim (Builders) laid the foundation of the Heikhal Hashem, they set the kohanim in their robes with trumpets, and the Levi’im the Bnei Asaph with cymbals, to praise Hashem according to the instructions of Dovid Melech Yisroel.

¹¹ And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto Hashem because He is good, for His chesed endureth forever toward Yisroel. And kol haAm shouted with a great shout, when they praised Hashem, because the foundation of the Beis Hashem was laid.

¹² But many of the kohanim and Levi’im and chief of the avot, who were zekenim (ancient men), that had seen the Beis HaRishon (Beis HaMikdash of Shlomo), when the foundation of this Beis [Hamikdash] was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice, and many shouted aloud for simchah;

¹³ So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of simchah from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

4 Now when the adversaries [i.e., the enemies, the Samaritans] of Yehudah and Binyamin heard that the Banim of the Golus were the Bonim (Builders) of the Heikhal for Hashem Elohei Yisroel,

² Then they came to Zerubavel, and to the chief of the avot, and said unto them, Let us build with you, for we seek Eloheichem, as ye do, and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days Esar-Hadon Melech Assur (Assyria), which brought us here [see Melachim Bais 19:37; also 17:33].

³ But Zerubavel, and Yeshua, and the rest of the chief of the avot of Yisroel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build a Beis [Hamikdash] unto Eloheinu; but we alone will build unto Hashem Elohei Yisroel, as HaMelech Koresh (Cyrus) Melech Paras (Persia) hath commanded us.

⁴ Then the Am HaAretz weakened the hands of the Am Yehudah, and troubled them from building,

⁵ And hired counselors against them, to frustrate their etza (plan), all the days of Koresh (Cyrus) Melech Paras (Persia), even until the reign of Daryavesh (Darius) Melech Paras (Persia).

⁶ And in the reign of Achashverosh [Xerxes I 486-465 B.C.E., the husband of Queen Esther], in the beginning of his reign, they wrote unto him a sitnah (accusation, related to the word Satan, Accuser) against the inhabitants of Yehudah and Yerushalayim.

⁷ Then, in the days of Artachshasta [Artaxerxes I 465-424 B.C.E.], it was Bishlam, Mitredat, Tavel, and the rest of their companions, who wrote unto Artachshasta Melech Paras (Persia); and the writing of the letter was written in Aramaic script, and set forth in Aramaic.

⁸ Rechum the high commissioner and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Yerushalayim to Melech Artachshasta as follows;

⁹ Then wrote Rechum the high commissioner, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the judges, the officials, the Tarplim, the Apharsim, the Arkvim, the Babylonians, and those of Shushan, that is, the Elma’im,

¹⁰ And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnapar deported, and settled in the city of Shomron (Samaria), and elsewhere in Beyond-the-River [Euphrates] wrote; and now

¹¹ This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artachshasta HaMelech; From thy avadim, the men Beyondthe-River [Euphrates]; and now

¹² May it be known unto the Melech, that the Yehudim which came up from thee to us are come unto Yerushalayim, building the rebellious and the wicked city, and finishing its walls, and repairing the foundations.

¹³ Be it known now unto the Melech, that, if this city be built, and the walls set up again, then they will not pay tax, tribute, or duty, and so thou shalt damage the royal revenues.

¹⁴ Now because we have covenant maintenance ("share the King’s salt") from the palace, and it was not proper for us to see the dishonor of the Melech, therefore we have sent and informed the Melech

¹⁵ That search may be made in the sefer of the archives of thy avot; so shalt thou find in the sefer of the archives, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto melachim and provinces, a place of sedition from ancient times, for which cause was this city destroyed.

¹⁶ We inform the Melech that, if this city be built again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no possession in the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates].

¹⁷ Then the Melech sent an answer: Unto Rechum the high commissioner, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Shomron (Samaria), and unto the rest Beyond-the River [Euphrates], Shalom, and now

¹⁸ The nish’tevan (official document) which ye sent unto us hath been fully read before me;

¹⁹ And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city for a long time hath made insurrection against melachim, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

²⁰ There have been mighty melachim also over Yerushalayim, which have ruled over all territory Beyondthe-River [Euphrates], to whom tax, tribute, and duty were paid.

²¹ Give ye now ta’am (command) to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until another ta’am shall be given from me.

²² Take heed now that ye fail not to do this; lamah (why) should damage grow to the hurt of the Melech?

²³ Now when the copy of letter of Melech Artachshasta was read before Rechum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Yerushalayim unto the Yehudim, and made them to cease by force and compulsion.

²⁴ Then ceased the work of the Beis HaElohim which is at Yerushalayim. So it ceased unto the second year [i.e., 520 B.C.E.] of the reign of Daryavesh (Darius) Melech Paras (Persia).

5 Then the nevi’im, Chaggai HaNavi, and Zecharyah ben Iddo, prophesied unto the Yehudim that were in Yehudah and Yerushalayim in the shem Elohei Yisroel, Who was [in authority] over them.

² Then rose up Zerubavel ben Sh’altiel, and Yeshua ben Yotzadak, and began to build the Beis Elohim which is at Yerushalayim; and with them were the nevi’im of Elohim helping them.

³ At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor of the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], and Shetar-Boznai and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath authorized you to build this Beis [Hamikdash], and to finish this structure?

⁴ Then said we unto them accordinging what were the shmot of the men that are constructing this building.

⁵ But the Ayn Eloheihem (Eye of their G-d) was upon the leaders of the Yehudim, that they could not cause them to cease, until the matter came to Daryavesh (Darius); and then answer was returned by letter concerning this matter.

⁶ The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor of the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], and Shetar-Boznai and his companions the envoys which were in the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], sent unto Daryavesh (Darius) the Melech [see 6:6];

⁷ They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus: Unto Daryavesh HaMelech, all Shalom.

⁸ Be it known unto the Melech, that we went into the province of Yehudah, to the Beis of the great Elohim, which is being built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.

⁹ Then asked we those leaders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this Beis [Hamikdash], and to restore this structure?

¹⁰ We asked their shmot also, to inform thee, that we might write down the shmot of the men that were their heads for thy information.

¹¹ And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the avadim of the Elohei Shomayim vAretz, and build the Beis that was built these many years ago, which a great Melech Yisroel built and set up.

¹² But because Avoteinu had provoked the Elohei Shomayim unto them into the hand of Nevuchadnetzar Melech Bavel, the Kasdai (Chaldean), who destroyed this Beis, and carried the people away into the Golus of Bavel (Babylon).

¹³ But in the first year of Koresh (Cyrus) Melech Bavel the same Melech Koresh made a decree to build this Beis Elohim.

¹⁴ And the vessels also of zahav and kesef of the Beis Elohim, which Nevuchadnetzar took out of the Heikhal that was in Yerushalayim, and brought into the Heikhal of Babylon, those did Koresh the Melech take out of the Heikhal of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose shem was Sheshbatzar, whom he had made governor;

¹⁵ And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, deposit them into the Heikhal that is in Yerushalayim, and let the Beis Elohim be built in its place.

¹⁶ Then came the same Sheshbatzar, and laid the foundation of the Beis Elohim which is in Yerushalayim; and since that time even until now hath it been under construction, and yet it is not finished.

¹⁷ Now therefore, if it seem good to the Melech, let there be search made in the bais of royal archives, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Koresh (Cyrus) the Melech to build this Beis Elohim at Yerushalayim, and let the Melech send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.

6 Then Daryavesh (Darius) the Melech made a decree, and search was made in the bais of the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon.

² And there was found at Achmeta, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a megillah, and therein was a record thus written;

³ In the first year of Koresh the Melech, Koresh the Melech made a decree concerning the Beis Elohim at Yerushalayim, Let the Beis [Hamikdash] be built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;

⁴ With three courses of great stones, and a course of new timber; and let the expenses be given out of the Melech’s treasury;

⁵ And also let the vessels of zahav and kesef of the Beis Elohim, which Nevuchadnetzar took forth out of the Heikhal which is at Yerushalayim, and brought unto Babylon, be returned, and brought again unto the Heikhal which is at Yerushalayim, every one to its place, and deposit them in the Beis Elohim.

⁶ Now therefore, Tatnai, governor Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], Shetar-Boznai, and your companions the envoys, which were in the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], you stay far from there!

⁷ Let the work of this Beis Elohim alone; let the governor of the Yehudim and the leaders of the Yehudim build this Beis Elohim in its place.

⁸ Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the leaders of these Yehudim for the building of this Beis Elohim; that of the royal treasuries, even of the revenue of the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

⁹ And that which they have need of, both young bulls, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the Elohei Shomayim, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the kohanim which are at Yerushalayim, let it be given them day by day without fail;

¹⁰ That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the Elohei Shomayim, and pray for the chayyei Melech, and of his banim.

¹¹ Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his bais, and being set up, let him be impaled hanging dead thereon; and let his bais be made a dunghill for this.

¹² And the Elohim that hath caused Shmo to dwell there destroy all Melech or Am that shall lift up their hand to alter and to destroy this Beis Elohim which is at Yerushalayim. I Daryavesh have issued a decree; let it be done with speed.

¹³ Then Tatnai, governor of Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], Shetar-Boznai, and their companions, according to that which Daryavesh the Melech had sent, so they did speedily.

¹⁴ And the leaders of the Yehudim built, and they prospered through the prophesying and preaching of Chaggai HaNavi and Zecharyah ben Iddo. And they built, and finished it, according to the commandment of the Elohei Yisroel, and according to the commandment of Koresh (Cyrus), and Daryavesh (Darius), and Artachshasta (Artaxerxes) Melech Paras (Persia).

¹⁵ And this Beis [Hamikdash] was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Daryavesh the Melech [i.e., March 12, 515 B.C.E.].

¹⁶ And the Bnei Yisroel, the Kohanim, and the Levi’im, and the rest of the Banim of the Golus, kept the dedication of this Beis Elohim with joy.

¹⁷ And offered at the dedication of this Beis Elohim one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for kol Yisroel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Yisroel.

¹⁸ And they installed the kohanim in their divisions, and the Levi’im in their courses, for the Avodas Elohim, which is at Yerushalayim, as it is written in the Sefer Moshe.

¹⁹ And the Banim of the Golus kept the Pesach upon the 14^th day of the first month.

²⁰ For the Kohanim and the Levi’im made themselves tahor, all of them were tehorim, and slaughtered the Pesach for all the Banim of the Golus, and for their brethren the Kohanim, and for themselves.

²¹ And the Bnei Yisroel, which were come again out of Golus, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the tum’a of the Goyim of ha’aretz, to seek Hashem Elohei Yisroel, did eat,

²² And kept the Chag Matzot seven days with simchah; for Hashem had made them joyful, and turned the lev Melech Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the Beis Elohim, Elohei Yisroel.

7 Now after these things, in the reign of Artachshasta Melech Paras (Persia), Ezra ben Serayah ben Azaryah ben Hilkiyah,

² Ben Shallum, ben Tzadok, ben Achituv,

³ Ben Amaryah, ben Azaryah, ben Merayot,

⁴ Ben Zerachyah, ben Uzzi, ben Bukki,

⁵ Ben Avishua, ben Pinchas, ben Eleazar, ben Aharon HaKohen HaRosh;

⁶ This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a sofer mahir expert in the Torat Moshe, which Hashem Elohei Yisroel had given, and HaMelech granted him all his request, for the yad Hashem Elohav was upon him.

⁷ And there went up some of the Bnei Yisroel, and of the Kohanim, and the Levi’im, and the singers, and the gatekeepers, and the Netinim, unto Yerushalayim, in the seventh year of Artachshasta [Artaxerxes] HaMelech [i.e., 458 B.C.E.].

⁸ And he came to Yerushalayim in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the Melech.

⁹ For upon the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Yerushalayim, for the good yad Elohav was upon him.

¹⁰ For Ezra had prepared his lev to study the Torat Hashem, and to do it, and to teach in Yisroel chok and mishpat.

¹¹ Now this is the copy of the letter that HaMelech Artachshasta gave unto Ezra HaKohen, HaSofer, even a Sofer of the divrei mitzvot Hashem, and of his chukkot for Yisroel:

¹² Artachshasta, Melech Melachim, unto Ezra Kohen, Sofer of the law of Elohei Shomayim, Greetings! And now

¹³ I issued a decree, that all they of the Am Yisroel, and of Kohanim and Levi’im, in my kingdom, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Yerushalayim, go with thee.

¹⁴ Forasmuch as thou art sent of the Melech, and of his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Yehudah and Yerushalayim, according to the law of thy G-d which is in thine hand;

¹⁵ And to carry the kesef and zahav, which the Melech and his counselors have freely offered unto the Elohei Yisroel, Whose habitation is in Yerushalayim,

¹⁶ And all the kesef and zahav that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the Kohanim, offering willingly for the Beis Eloheihem which is in Yerushalayim;

¹⁷ That thou mayest buy speedily with this kesef bulls, rams, lambs, with their minchot and their nesakhim, and offer them upon the Mizbe’ach of the Beis Eloheichem which is in Yerushalayim.

¹⁸ And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the kesef and the zahav, that do according to the will of Eloheichem.

¹⁹ The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the Beis of thy G-d, those deliver thou before the Elohei Yerushalayim.

²⁰ And whatsoever more shall be needful for the Beis of thy G-d, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the bais of treasuries of the Melech.

²¹ And I, even I Artachshasta the Melech, do issue a decree to all the treasurers which are in Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], that whatsoever Ezra HaKohen, the Sofer of the law of the Elohei Shomayim, shall require of you, it be done speedily,

²² Unto one hundred talents of kesef, and to one hundred cors of wheat, and to one hundred baths of wine, and to one hundred baths of oil, and unlimited melach (salt).

²³ Whatsoever is commanded by Elohei Shomayim, let it be diligently done for the Beis of Elohei Shomayim; for why should there be ketzaf (wrath) against the malchut of the Melech and his banim?

²⁴ Also we make known to you, that touching any of the Kohanim and Levi’im, singers, gatekeepers, Netinim, or ministers of this Beis Elohim, it shall not be lawful to impose tax, tribute, or duty, upon them.

²⁵ And thou, Ezra, after the chochmah of thy G-d, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are in Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], all such as know the laws of thy G-d; and teach ye them that know them not.

²⁶ And whosoever will not do the law of thy G-d, and the law of the Melech, let punishment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

²⁷ Baruch Hashem Elohei Avoteinu, Who hath put such a thing as this in the lev HaMelech, to honor the Beis Hashem which is in Yerushalayim;

²⁸ And hath extended chesed unto me before HaMelech, and his counselors, and before all the mighty officials of the Melech. And I was strengthened because the Yad Hashem Elohai was upon me, and I gathered together out of Yisroel chief men to go up with me.

8 These are now the Rashei Avoteihem, and this is the register of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artachshasta the Melech:

² Of the Bnei Pinchas, Gershom; of the Bnei Itamar, Daniel; of the Bnei Dovid, Chattush;

³ Of the Bnei Shechanyah, of the Bnei Parosh, Zecharyah; and with him were reckoned by register of the zakhar 150.

⁴ Of the Bnei Pachat-Moav, Elyehoeinai ben Zerachyah, and with him 200 zakhar.

⁵ Of the Bnei Shechanyah, ben Yachziel, and with him 300 zakhar.

⁶ Of the banim also of Adin, Eved ben Yonatan, and with him 50 zakhar.

⁷ And of the Bnei Elam, Yeshayah ben Atalyah, and with him 70 zakhar.

⁸ And of the Bnei Shephatyah, Zevadyah ben Michael, and with him 80 zakhar.

⁹ Of the Bnei Yoav, Ovadyah ben Yechiel, and with him 218 zakhar.

¹⁰ And of the Bnei Shlomit, ben Yosiphyah, and with him 160 zakhar.

¹¹ And of the Bnei Bevai, Zecharyah ben Bevai, and with him 28 zakhar.

¹² And of the Bnei Azgad, Yochanan ben Hakkatan, and with him 110 zakhar.

¹³ And of the younger Bnei Adonikam, whose shmot are these, Eliphelet, Ye’i’el, and Shemayah, and with them 60 zakhar.

¹⁴ Of the banim also of Bigvai, Utai, and Zakkur, and with them 70 zakhar.

¹⁵ And I gathered them together by the river that runneth to Ahava, and there abode we in tents three days; and I reviewed the people, and the Kohanim, and found there none of the Bnei Levi.

¹⁶ Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemayah, and for Elnatan, and for Yariv, and for Elnatan, and for Natan, and for Zecharyah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Yoyariv, and for Elnatan, men of discernment.

¹⁷ And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place called Casiphya, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Netinim, at the place Casiphya, that they should bring unto us ministers for the Beis Eloheinu.

¹⁸ And by the good Yad of Eloheinu upon us they brought us an Ish Seichel, of the Bnei Machli, ben Levi, ben Yisroel; and Sherevyah, with his banim and his brethren, eighteen;

¹⁹ And Chashavyah, and with him Yeshayah of the Bnei Merari, his brethren and their banim, twenty;

²⁰ Also of the Netinim, whom Dovid and the sarim (princes) had appointed for the Avodas HaLevi’im, two hundred and twenty Netinim; all of them were registered by shemot.

²¹ Then I proclaimed a tzom there, at the Ahava River, that we might afflict ourselves before Eloheinu, to seek of Him a derech yesharah for us, and for our little ones, and for all our possessions.

²² For I was ashamed to require of the Melech a band of soldiers and parashim to protect us against the enemy on the road; because we had spoken unto the Melech, saying, The Yad Eloheinu is upon all them for tovah that seek Him, but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him.

²³ So we did a tzom and besought Eloheinu for this, and He was entreated of us.

²⁴ Then I separated twelve of the chief of the Kohanim, Sherevyah, Chashavyah, and ten of their brethren with them,

²⁵ And weighed out unto them the kesef, and the zahav, and the vessels, even the terumat Beis Eloheinu, which the Melech, and his counselors, and his officials, and kol Yisroel there present, had given as an offering.

²⁶ I even weighed out unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of kesef, and vessels of kesef one hundred talents, and of zahav one hundred talents;

²⁷ Also twenty bowls of zahav, of a thousand darics; and two vessels of nechoshet, precious as zahav.

²⁸ And I said unto them, Ye are kodesh unto Hashem; the vessels are kodesh also; and the kesef and the zahav are a nedavah unto Hashem Elohei Avoteichem.

²⁹ Watch ye, and guard them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the Kohanim and the Levi’im, and chief of the avot of Yisroel, at Yerushalayim, in the chambers of the Beis Hashem.

³⁰ So took the kohanim and the Levi’im the weight of the kesef, and the zahav, and the vessels, to bring them to Yerushalayim unto the Beis Eloheinu.

³¹ Then we departed from the Ahava River on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Yerushalayim; and the Yad Eloheinu was upon us, and delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and the bandit laying in wait along the Derech (road).

³² And we came to Yerushalayim, and abode there three days.

³³ Now on the fourth day was the kesef and the zahav and the vessels weighed in the Beis Eloheinu by the yad of Meremot ben Uriyah HaKohen; and with him was Eleazar ben Pinchas; and with them was Yozavad ben Yeshua, and Noadyah ben Binnui, the Levi’im;

³⁴ By mispar (number) and by weight of every one; and all the weight was written at that time.

³⁵ Also the children of those that had been carried away, the Bnei HaGolus, offered olot unto Elohei Yisroel, twelve bulls for kol Yisroel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he-goats for a sin offering; all this was an olah unto Hashem.

³⁶ And they delivered the orders of the Melech unto the Satraps of the Melech, and to the governors of Beyond-the-River [Euphrates] and they gave support to HaAm, and the Beis HaElohim.

9 Now when these things were completed, the sarim came to me, saying, HaAm Yisroel, and the Kohanim, and the Levi’im, have not separated themselves from the Am HaAretz, doing according to their abominations, even of the Kena’ani, the Chitti, the Perizzi, the Yevusi, the Ammoni, the Moavi, the Egyptians, and the Emori.

² For they have taken of their banot for themselves, and for their banim, so that the zera hakodesh have mingled themselves with the Am HaAretz; yea, the yad of the sarim (princes) and officials hath been chief in this trespass.

³ And when I heard this thing, I made keriah of my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down appalled.

⁴ Then were assembled around me every one that trembled at the Divrei Elohei Yisroel, because of the transgression of those of the Golus; and I sat appalled until the minchat haerev.

⁵ And at the minchat haerev I arose up from my abasement, and having made the keriah of my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto Hashem Elohai,

⁶ And davened, O Elohai, I am ashamed and am disgraced to lift up my face to thee, Elohai, for avonoteinu are increased over our head, and ashmateinu (our guilt) is reached up unto Shomayim.

⁷ Since the days of Avoteinu have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for avonoteinu have we, our melachim, and our Kohanim, been delivered into the hand of the melachim of the lands, to the cherev, to captivity, and to spoil, and to humiliation of face, as it is this day.

⁸ And now for a little space grace hath been shown from Hashem Eloheinu, to leave us to escape a she’ar (remnant), and to give us a peg in his Makom Kodesh, that Eloheinu may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

⁹ For we were avadim; yet Eloheinu hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended chesed unto us in the sight of the Melachim of Paras (Persia), to give us a reviving, to set up the Beis Eloheinu, and to repair the ruins thereof, and to give us a wall in Yehudah and in Yerushalayim.

¹⁰ And now, O Eloheinu, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Thy mitzvot,

¹¹ Which Thou hast commanded by Thy avadim the nevi’im, saying, HaAretz, unto which ye go to possess it, is an eretz niddah (unclean land) with the filthiness of the Am HaAretz, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their tum’a.

¹² Now therefore give not your banot unto their banim, neither take their banot unto your banim, nor further their shalom or their prosperity ad olam, that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land and leave it for your banim ad olam.

¹³ And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, seeing that Thou Eloheinu hast punished us less than avoneinu deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this,

¹⁴ Should we again break Thy mitzvot, and join in affinity with the people of these to’evot (abominations)? Wouldest not Thou be angry with us till Thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no she’erit (remnant) nor escaping?

¹⁵ Hashem Elohei Yisroel, Thou art tzaddik; for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day; hineni, we are before Thee in our guilt, though we cannot stand before Thee because of it.

10 Now while Ezra was davening and making vidduy, weeping and prostrating himself before the Beis HaElohim, a Kahal rav me’od, anashim, nashim, and yeladim, gathered to him from Yisroel, for the people wept bitterly.

² And Shechanyah ben Yechiel, of the Bnei Elam, answered and said to Ezra, We have been unfaithful to Eloheinu, have married foreign am ha’aretz women; yet now there is mikveh for Yisroel in spite of this.

³ So now let us make a Brit with Eloheinu to put away all nashim and that born of them, according to the counsel of Adonoi and the charedim at the mitzvot of Eloheinu; and let it be done according to the Torah.

⁴ Arise! For this matter is your responsibility; but we will be with you; chazak and act.

⁵ Then Ezra rose and made the leading Kohanim, the Levi’im, and kol Yisroel take an oath that they would do according to this proposal; so they took the oath.

⁶ Then Ezra arose from before the Beis HaElohim and went into the chamber of Yehochanan ben Elyashiv. Although he went there, he did not eat lechem, nor drink water, for he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of those of the Golus.

⁷ And they issued a proclamation throughout Yehudah and Yerushalayim to all the Banim of the Golus, that they should assemble at Yerushalayim

⁸ And that whoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the sarim and the zekenim, all his possessions should be forfeited and he himself excluded from the Kahal of those of the Golus.

⁹ So all the men of Yehudah and Benyamin assembled at Yerushalayim within the three days. It was the ninth month on the twentieth of the month, and kol HaAm sat in the rechov before the Beis HaElohim, distressed by the occasion and the heavy rain.

¹⁰ Then Ezra HaKohen stood up and said to them, You have been unfaithful and have married foreign women adding to Ashmat Yisroel.

¹¹ Now, therefore, make confession to Hashem Elohei Avoteichem and do His will; separate yourselves from the am ha’aretz and from the foreign women.

¹² Then Kol HaKahal answered and said with a kol gadol, Ken! As you have said, so it is our duty to do.

¹³ But there are Am rav, it is the rainy season, and we are not able to stand bachotz (outside). Nor can the matter be done in one or two days, for we have transgressed greatly in this matter.

¹⁴ Let our leaders represent the Kol HaKahal and let all those in our towns who have married foreign women come at appointed times, together with the ziknei ir and shofetim of each town until the charon af Eloheinu on account of this matter is turned away from us.

¹⁵ Only Yonatan ben Asah’el and Yachzeyah ben Tikvah supported by Meshulam and Shabtai the Levi stood opposed.

¹⁶ But the Banim of the Golus did so. And Ezra HaKohen selected anashim who were Rashei HaAvot for each of their father’s households, all of them by shemot. So they convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter.

¹⁷ And they finished investigating all men who had married foreign women by the 1st day of the 1st month.

¹⁸ And among the Bnei HaKohanim who had married foreign women were found of the Bnei Yeshua ben Yotzadak, and his brothers; Ma’aseiyah, Eliezer, Yariv, and Gedalyah.

¹⁹ And they pledged to put away their women, and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their asham.

²⁰ And of the Bnei Immer there were Chanani and Zevadyah;

²¹ and of the Bnei of Charim; Ma’aseiyah, Eliyah, Shemayah, Yechiel, and Uzziyah;

²² and of the Bnei of Pashchur; Elyoeinai, Ma’aseiyah, Yishmael, Netanel, Yozavad, and Elasah.

²³ And of Levi’im there were Yozavad, Shimei, Kelayah (that is, Kelita), Petachyah, Yehudah, and Eliezer.

²⁴ And of the singers there was Elyashiv; and of the gatekeepers; Shallum, Telem, and Uri.

²⁵ And of Yisroel, of the Bnei of Parosh there were Ramyah, Yizziyah, Malchiyah, Miyamin, Eleazar, Malkiyah, and Benayah;

²⁶ And of the Bnei Elam; Mattanyah, Zecharyah, Yechi’el, Avdi, Yeremot, and Eliyah;

²⁷ And of the Bnei Zattu; Elyoeinai, Elyashiv, Mattanyah, Yeremot, Zavad, and Aziza;

²⁸ And of the Bnei Bevai; Yehochanan, Chananyah, Zabbai, and Atlai;

²⁹ And of the Bnei Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adayah, Yashuv, Sheal, and Ramot;

³⁰ And of the Bnei Pachat-Moav; Adna, Kelal, Benayah, Ma’aseiyah, Mattanyah, Betzalel, Binnui, and Menasheh;

³¹ And of the Bnei Charim; Eliezer; Yishiyah, Malkiyah, Shemayah, Shim’on,

³² Benyamin, Malluch, and Shemaryah;

³³ Of the Bnei of Chashum; Matnai, Mattattah, Zavad, Eliphelet, Yeremai, Manasheh, and Shimei;

³⁴ Of the Bnei Bani; Ma’adai, Amram, U’el,

³⁵ Benayah, Bedyah, Keluhi,

³⁶ Vanyah, Meremot, Elyashiv,

³⁷ Mattanyah, Mattnai, Ya’asai,

³⁸ Bani, Binnui, Shimei,

³⁹ Shelemyah, Natan, Adayah,

⁴⁰ Machnavdai, Shashai, Sharai,

⁴¹ Azarel, Shelemyah, Shemaryah,

⁴² Shallum, Amaryah, and Yosef.

⁴³ Of the Bnei Nevo there were Ye’iel, Mattityah, Zavad, Zevina, Yadai, Yoel, and Benayah.

⁴⁴ All these had taken foreign women, and some of them wives by whom they had banim.

1 The Divrei Nechemyah ben Chachalyah. And it came to pass in the month Kislev, in the twentieth year [i.e., 445 B.C.E.], as I was in Shushan the capital [of Persia],

² That Chanani, one of my achim [see 7:2], came, he and certain men, from Yehudah; and I asked them concerning the remnant of the Yehudim that had survived the Exile [the Golus], and concerning Yerushalayim.

³ And they said unto me, The remnant that have survived the Exile [the Golus] there in the province are in ra’ah gedolah and reproach; the Chomat Yerushalayim also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with eish.

⁴ And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for several yamim, and did a tzom, and davened before Elohei HaShomayim,

⁵ And said, O Hashem Elohei HaShomayim, HaEl HaGadol vHaNora, that is shomer habrit vachesed for them that love Him and are shomer mitzvot over His commandments,

⁶ Let Thine ear now be attentive, and Thine eyes open, that Thou mayest hear the tefillah of Thy eved, which I am davening before Thee now, yomam valailah, for the Bnei Yisroel Thy avadim, and mitvaddeh al chattot (confess the sins) of the Bnei Yisroel, which we have sinned against Thee. Both I and the Bais Avi have sinned.

⁷ We have dealt very corruptly against Thee, and have not been shomer mitzvot, neither over the chukkim, nor the mishpatim, which Thou commandedst Moshe Thy eved.

⁸ Remember, the word that Thou commandedst Moshe Thy eved, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations,

⁹ But if ye make teshuvah and turn unto Me, and are shomer over My mitzvot, and do them; though there were of you those exiled unto the uttermost part of HaShomayim, yet will I gather them from there, and will bring them unto the place [i.e., Yerushalayim] that I have chosen to make dwell Shmi (My Name) there.

¹⁰ Now these are Thy Avadim and Thy Am, whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy ko’ach hagadol, and by Thy Yad HaChazakah.

¹¹ O Adonoi, let now Thine ear be attentive to the tefillah of Thy eved, and to the tefillah of Thy Avadim, who desire to fear Thy Shem; and give success to Thy eved today, and grant him rachamim in the sight of this man. For I was the Mashkeh L’Melech.

2 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artachshasta HaMelech, that yayin was before him; and I took up the yayin, and gave it unto HaMelech. Now I had not been previously sad in his presence.

² Wherefore HaMelech said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not choleh (sick)? This is nothing else but ro’ah lev. Then I was very much afraid,

³ And said unto HaMelech, HaMelech l’olam yicheyeh. Why should not my countenance look sad, when HaIr, the Bais Kivrot Avotai, lieth in ruins, and the gates thereof are consumed with eish?

⁴ Then HaMelech said unto me, For what dost Thou make request? So I davened to Elohei HaShomayim.

⁵ And I said unto HaMelech, If it please HaMelech, and if thy eved have found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Yehudah, unto the Ir Kivrot Avotai, that I may rebuild her.

⁶ And HaMelech said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be, and when wilt thou return? So it pleased HaMelech to send me; and I set for him a zman.

⁷ Moreover I said unto HaMelech, If it please HaMelech, let iggrot be given me to the governors Beyond the River, that they may provide me safe conduct till I come into Yehudah;

⁸ And an iggeret unto Asaph the Shomer of the forest of HaMelech, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress by the Beis, and for the Chomat HaIr, and for the bais that I shall occupy. And HaMelech granted me, according to the Yad Elohai Hatovah upon me.

⁹ Then I came to the governors Beyond the River [Euphrates], and gave them the Iggrot HaMelech. Now HaMelech had sent captains of the army and parashim (a troop of horsemen) with me.

¹⁰ When Sanvalat the Choroni, and Toviyah the eved (official), the Ammoni, heard of it, it grieved them with a ra’ah gedolah that there was come an adam to seek the welfare of the Bnei Yisroel.

¹¹ So I came to Yerushalayim; was there 3 yamim.

¹² And I arose in the lailah, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what Elohai had put in my lev to do for Yerushalayim; neither was there any mount with me, save the mount that I rode upon.

¹³ And I went out by lailah by the Valley Gate, even before the Dragon’s Spring, and to the Dung Gate [3:13], and made inspection of the Chomat Yerushalayim, which had been broken down, and the gates thereof that were consumed with eish.

¹⁴ Then I went on to the Fountain Gate, and to the King’s Pool [Pool of Shiloah], but there was no place for the mount that was under me to pass.

¹⁵ Then went I up in the lailah by way of the valley, and viewed the Chomah (Wall), and turned back, and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned.

¹⁶ And the officials knew not where I went, or what I did; neither as yet to the Yehudim, nor to the Kohanim, nor to the Nobles, nor to the Rulers, nor to the rest that were to do the melachah (work) had I said anything.

¹⁷ Then said I unto them, Ye see hara’ah (the trouble) that we are in, how Yerushalayim lieth in ruins, and the gates thereof are burned with eish; come, and let us rebuild the Chomat Yerushalayim, that we suffer derision no more.

¹⁸ Then I told them of the Yad Elohai Hatovah which was upon me; as also the Divrei HaMelech that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and rebuild. So they strengthened their hands in tovah (in the good).

¹⁹ But when Sanvalat the Choroni, and Toviyah the eved (official), the Ammoni, and Geshem the Arab, heard it, they laughed at us in mockery, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? Against HaMelech will you be moredim (ones rebelling)?

²⁰ Then answered I them, and said unto them, Elohei HaShomayim, He will give us success; therefore we His avadim will arise and rebuild; but ye have no chelek (allotted portion), nor tzadakah (right), nor zikaron b’Yerushalayim (history to commemorate in Jerusalem).

3 Then Elyashiv the Kohen HaGadol rose up with his achim the Kohanim, and they rebuilt the Sheep Gate; they set it apart as kodesh, and set up the daletot of it; even unto the Migdal HaMe’ah they set it apart as kodesh, unto the Migdal Chanan’el.

² And next unto him the Anshei Yericho built. And next to them built Zakkur ben Imri.

³ But the Fish Gate did the Bnei Hasnaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the daletot thereof, the locks , and the bars thereof.

⁴ And next unto them Meremot ben Uriyah ben Hakotz made repairs. And next unto them Meshullam ben Berekhyah ben Meshezav’el made repairs. And next unto them Tzadok ben Ba’ana did so.

⁵ And next unto them the Tekoim built; but their Nobles put not their necks to the Avodas adoneihem.

⁶ Moreover Yoyada ben Paseach and Meshullam ben Besodyah made repairs on the Sha’ar HaYeshanah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the daletot, and the locks, and the bars thereof.

⁷ And next unto them repaired Melatyah the Giveoni, and Yadon the Meronoti, the men of Giveon, and of Mitzpah, upto the seat of the governor of Beyond the River [Euphrates].

⁸ Next unto him repaired Uzziel ben Charhayah, one of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Chananyah son of the perfumers, and they fortified Yerushalayim upto the Broad Wall.

⁹ And next unto them repaired Refayah ben Chur, the ruler of half the district of Yerushalayim.

¹⁰ And next unto them repaired Yedayah ben Charumaph, opposite his bais. And next unto him repaired Chattush ben Chashavneyah.

¹¹ Malkiyah ben Charim, and Chashuv ben Pachat-Moav, repaired the other section, and the Migdal HaTannurim.

¹² And next unto him repaired Shallum ben Halochesh, the ruler of half the district of Yerushalayim, he and his banot.

¹³ The Valley Gate repaired Chanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoach; they rebuilt it, and set up the daletot thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and 1,000 cubits of Chomah unto the Dung Gate.

¹⁴ But the Dung Gate did Malkiyah ben Rechav, the ruler of the district of Beit Hakerem repair; he rebuilt it, and set up the daletot thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

¹⁵ But the Fountain Gate did Shallun ben Kol-Chozeh, ruler of Mitzpah district repair; he rebuilt it, covered it, set up the daletot thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the chomah of the Pool of Shelach [Shiloah] by the Gan HaMelech, and upto the stairs that go down from the Ir Dovid.

¹⁶ After him repaired Nechemyah ben Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beit-tzur, unto the place opposite the Kivrei Dovid, and to the artificial pool, and unto the Bais HaGiborim.

¹⁷ After him repaired the Levi’im, Rechum ben Bani. Next unto him repaired Chashavyah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, in his district.

¹⁸ After him repaired their achim, Bavai ben Chenadad, ruler half the Keilah district.

¹⁹ And next to him repaired Ezer ben Yeshua, the ruler of Mitzpah, another section fronting the ascent to the armory at the Corner.

²⁰ After him Baruch ben Zakkai zealously repaired the other section, from the Corner unto the petach Bais Elyashiv the Kohen HaGadol.

²¹ After him repaired Meremot ben Uriyah ben Hakotz another section, from the entrance of the Bais Elyashiv even to the end of the Bais Elyashiv.

²² And after him repaired the Kohanim, who were the men of the surrounding area.

²³ After him repaired Binyamin and Chashuv opposite their bais. After him repaired Azaryah ben Maaseiyah ben Ananyah etzel (beside, Prov 8:30) his bais.

²⁴ After him repaired Binnui ben Chenadad another section, from the bais Azaryah unto the Corner, even unto the Pinnah.

²⁵ Palal ben Uzai, opposite the Corner, and the Migdal which projects from upper part of the Bais HaMelech, that was by the khatzer (court) of the Guard. After him Pedayah ben Parosh

²⁶ And the Netenim (servants of the Bais Hamikdash) dwelt on Ophel, made repairs unto the place opposite the Water Gate on the east, and the migdal that projects out.

²⁷ After them the Tekoim repaired another section, opposite the great migdal that projects out, even unto the Chomat Ophel.

²⁸ From above the Horse Gate repaired the Kohanim, every one opposite his bais.

²⁹ After them repaired Tzadok ben Immer opposite his bais. After him repaired also Shemayah ben Shechanyah, the Shomer of the East Gate.

³⁰ After him repaired Chananyah ben Shelemyah, and Chanun the sixth son of Tzalaph, another section. After him repaired Meshullam ben Berekhyah opposite his living quarters.

³¹ After him repaired Malkiyah one of the goldsmiths unto the place of the Netenim, and of the merchants, opposite the Sha’ar HaMifkad, and to the aliyyat hapinnah.

³² And between the aliyyat hapinnah unto the Sheep Gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.

4 ^(3:33) But it came to pass, that when Sanvalat heard that we were rebuilding the Chomah, he was angered, took great indignation, mocked the Yehudim.

^2 (3:34) And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Shomron, and said, What do these feeble Yehudim? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the avanim out of the heaps of the burned rubble?

^3 (3:35) Now Toviyah the Ammoni was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox climb up on it, even he shall break down their chomat avanim.

^4 (3:36) Shema, Eloheinu, for we are despised; turn their insults upon their own head, and give them as plunder in a land of captivity;

^5 (3:37) And cover not their avon, and let not their chattat be blotted out from before thee, for they threw insults in the face of HaBonim.

^6 (3:38) So we rebuilt HaChomah, and kol HaChomah was joined together unto half the height thereof, for HaAm had a mind to work.

^7 (4:1) But it came to pass, that when Sanvalat, and Toviyah, and the Arabs, and the Ammonim, and the Ashdodim, heard about the Chomat Yerushalayim, that its repairs had gone ahead, and that the gaps began to be closed up, then they were very angry,

^8 (4:2) And they plotted all of them together to come and to fight against Yerushalayim, and to hinder it.

^9 (4:3) Nevertheless we davened unto Eloheinu, and set a watch against them yomam valailah, because of them.

^10 (4:4) And Yehudah said, The koach of the bearers of burdens is giving out, and there is much rubble, so that we are not able to rebuild the Chomah (Wall).

^11 (4:5) And our adversaries said, They shall have no da’as, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the melachah (work) to cease.

^12 (4:6) And it came to pass, that when the Yehudim which dwelt near them came, they said unto us eser p’amim, Wherever ye turn, they will be upon us.

^13 (4:7) Therefore set I behind the lower places of the Chomah, and on the exposed places, I even set HaAm by their mishpekhot with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

^14 (4:8) And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the Nobles, and to the Officials, and to the rest of HaAm, Be not ye afraid of them. Remember Adonoi HaGadol vHaNorah, and fight for your achim, your banim, and your banot, your nashim, and your batim.

^15 (4:9) And it came to pass, when our enemies were aware that it was known unto us, and HaElohim had brought their etzah (plan) to nought, that we returned all of us to HaChomah, every one unto his melachah (work).

^16 (4:10) And it came to pass from that day forth, that half of my men did the melachah, and the other half of them held the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the body armor; and the officials posted themselves behind Kol Bais Yehudah

^17 (4:11) Who were HaBonim BaChomah. And they that bore burdens, carried their loads such that each one with one of his hands did the melachah, and with the other hand held a weapon.

^18 (4:12) For the Bonim, every one had his cherev girded by his side, and so built. And he that sounded the shofar was by me.

^19 (4:13) And I said unto the Nobles, and to the Officials, and to the rest of haAm, The melachah is great and spread out, and we are separated along the Chomah, one far from another.

^20 (4:14) In what place therefore ye hear the kol haShofar, rally ye thither unto us; Eloheinu shall fight for us.

^21 (4:15) So we labored in the melachah, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn till the kokhavim appeared.

^22 (4:16) Likewise at the same time said I unto HaAm, Let every one with his servant lodge within Yerushalayim, that in halailah they may be a mishmar (guard) to us, and at hayom a melachah (workman).

^23 (4:17) So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my men, nor the anshei hamishmar (the men of the guard) which followed me, none of us put off our clothes; every one carried his weapon, even when he went for water.

5 And there was a great outcry of HaAm and of their nashim against their achim the Yehudim.

² For there were that said, We, our banim, and our banot, are rabbim (many); therefore we must get dagan (grain) for them, that we may eat, and live.

³ Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our sadot (fields), kramim (vineyards), and batim (houses), that we might buy dagan, because of the ra’av (famine).

⁴ There were also that said, We have borrowed kesef for the tax of HaMelech, and that upon our sadot and kramim.

⁵ Yet now our basar is the same as the basar of acheinu (our brethren, countrymen), our banot as their banot; and, hinei, we bring into the bondage of slavery our banim and our banot, and some of our banot are brought unto bondage already, neither is it in our power to redeem them, for other men have our sadot and kramim.

⁶ And I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these devarim.

⁷ Then I consulted my own thoughts, and I rebuked the Nobles [see 3:5], and the officials, and said unto them, Ye exact massa (usury, i.e., seizing what is pledged against debts, whether people, land, or property), every one from his brother. And I called a kehillah gedolah against them.

⁸ And I said unto them, We as far as we have ability have redeemed acheinu (bought back our brethren) the Yehudim, which were sold unto the Goyim; and will ye even sell your brethren? Or shall they be sold back unto us? Then they were speechless, and found nothing to answer.

⁹ Also I said, It is not tov this thing ye are doing. Ought ye not to walk in the fear of Eloheinu and end the derision of the Goyim oyveinu (our enemies)?

¹⁰ I likewise, and my brethren, and my men, have allowed them to borrow kesef and dagan; let us stop now this massa (burden of debt).

¹¹ Restore, now, to them, even today, their sadot, their kramim, their zayit groves, and their batim (houses), also the usury of the hundredth part of the kesef, and of the dagan, the tirosh (new wine), and the yitzhar (olive oil), that ye exact of them.

¹² Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I summoned the Kohanim, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

¹³ Also I shook out the fold of my robe, and said, So may HaElohim shake out every man from his bais, and from that which belongs to him, that keepeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And Kol HaKahal said, Omein, and praised Hashem. And HaAm did according to this promise.

¹⁴ Moreover, from the yom that I was appointed to be their governor in Eretz Yehudah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artachshasta HaMelech, that is, twelve shanim, I and my brethren have not eaten the Lechem HaPechah (Allowance of the Governor).

¹⁵ But the former governors that had been before me placed a heavy burden on HaAm, and had taken of them lechem and yayin, in addition to the forty shekels of kesef; yea, even their assistants domineered HaAm; but so did not I, because of yirat Elohim.

¹⁶ But instead I continued in the melekhet HaChomah (work of this Wall), neither acquired we any sadeh; and all my men were gathered there unto the melachah (work).

¹⁷ Moreover there were at my shulchan a hundred and fifty of the Yehudim and officials, besides those that came unto us from among the Goyim around us.

¹⁸ Now that which was prepared daily was one shor (ox) and six choice sheep; also poultry were prepared at my expense, and every ten days skins of yayin in quantity of all kinds; yet for all this required not I the Lechem HaPechah, because the avodah was heavy upon this people.

¹⁹ Remember me, Elohai, for tovah, according to all that I have done for this people.

6 Now it came to pass when Sanvalat, and Toviyah, and Geshem the Arab, and the rest of oyveinu (our enemies), heard that I had rebuilt HaChomah, and that there was no peretz (gap) left therein (though at that time I had not set up the dalatot in the she’arim),

² That Sanvalat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they were choshevim (the ones scheming) to do me ra’ah (harm).

³ And I sent malachim unto them, saying, I am doing a melachah gedolah, so that I cannot come down. Why should the melachah cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

⁴ Yet they sent unto me this message arbah pe’amim; and I answered them after the same manner.

⁵ Then sent Sanvalat his aid unto me in like manner the fifth time with an unsealed iggeret in his hand;

⁶ Wherein was written, It is reported among the Goyim, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Yehudim are choshevim (the ones scheming) revolt, for which cause thou buildest the Chomah, that thou mayest be their Melech, according to these reports.

⁷ And thou hast also appointed nevi’im to make this proclamation about thee at Yerushalayim, saying, There is a Melech in Yehudah! Now this report will get back to HaMelech. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

⁸ Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such devarim (things) done as thou sayest, but thou inventest them out of thine own lev.

⁹ For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, Their hands shall get too weakened for the melachah, that it be not completed. Now therefore, strengthen my hands!

¹⁰ Afterward I came unto the bais Shemayah ben Delayah ben Mehetave’el, who was confined; and he said, Let us meet together in the Bais HaElohim, within the Heikhal, and let us close the dalatot of the Heikhal, for they will come to slay thee; yea, tonight they come to slay thee.

¹¹ And I said, Should such a man as I flee? And who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the Heikhal to save his life? I will not go in.

¹² And, hinei, I perceived that Elohim had not sent him; but that he pronounced this nevu’ah (prophecy) against me, for Toviyah and Sanvalat had hired him.

¹³ Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have given me a shem rah (bad name), that they might discredit me.

¹⁴ Remember, Elohai, Toviyah and Sanvalat according to these their ma’asim, and also the neviah (prophetess) Noadyah, and the rest of the nevi’im, that would have intimidated me.

¹⁵ So the Chomah was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

¹⁶ And it came to pass, that when all oyveinu (our enemies) heard thereof, and all the Goyim around us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes, for they perceived that this melachah was accomplished by Eloheinu.

¹⁷ Moreover in those days the nobles of Yehudah sent many iggerot unto Toviyah, and the iggrot of Toviyah were making reply unto them.

¹⁸ For there were many ba’alei shevuah in Yehudah unto him, because he was the choson (son-in-law) of Shechanyah ben Arach, and his son Yehochanan had taken the bat Meshullam ben Berechyah.

¹⁹ Also they reported his [Toviyah’s supposed] merits before me, and uttered my words to him. And Toviyah sent letters with the intent of intimidating me. [T.N. We see that the work of G-d had to be accomplished, not in a vacuum of peace and tranquility, but against the backdrop of manipulation and intimidation. Nehemiah gives G-d the credit and the glory for his escaping every snare.]

7 Now it came to pass, when the chomah was rebuilt, and I had set up the dalatot, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levi’im were appointed,

² That I gave my brother Chanani, along with Chananyah (the commander of the citadel), charge over Yerushalayim, for he was an ish emes, and feared HaElohim more than many.

³ And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Yerushalayim be opened until the shemesh be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the dalatot, and bar them, and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, every one in his watch, and every one to be near his bais.

⁴ Now the Ir was large and gedolah, but HaAm were few therein, and the batim (houses) were not rebuilt.

⁵ And Elohai put into mine lev to gather together the nobles, and the officials, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a Sefer HaYachash (record of the genealogy) of them which came up at the first, and found written therein:

⁶ These are the people of the province, that went up out of the Golus captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nevuchadnetzar Melech Bavel had carried away, and came again to Yerushalayim and to Yehudah, everyone unto his town;

⁷ Who came with Zerubavel, Yeshua, Nechemyah, Azaryah, Ra’amyah, Nachmani, Mordechai, Bilshan, Misperet, Bigvai, Nechum, and Ba’anah. The number of the men of the people of Yisroel was this:

⁸ The Bnei Parosh, 2,172.

⁹ The Bnei Shephatyah, 372.

¹⁰ The Bnei Arach, 652.

¹¹ The Bnei Pachat-Moav, of the Bnei Yeshua and Yoav, 2,818.

¹² The Bnei Elam, 1,254.

¹³ The Bnei Zattu, 845.

¹⁴ The Bnei Zaccai, 760.

¹⁵ The Bnei Binnui, 648.

¹⁶ The Bnei Bevai, 628.

¹⁷ The Bnei Azgad, 2,322.

¹⁸ The Bnei Adonikam, 667.

¹⁹ The Bnei Bigvai, 2,067.

²⁰ The Bnei Adin, 655.

²¹ The Bnei Ater of Yechizkiyah, 98.

²² The Bnei Chashum, 328.

²³ The Bnei Betzai, 324.

²⁴ The Bnei Chariph, 112.

²⁵ The Bnei Giveon, 95.

²⁶ The men of Beit-Lechem and Netophah, 188.

²⁷ The men of Anatot, 128.

²⁸ The men of Beit-Azmavet, 42.

²⁹ The men of Kiryat-Yearim, Kephirah, and Be’erot, 743.

³⁰ The men of Ramah and Geva, 621.

³¹ The men of Michmas, 122.

³² The men of Beit-El and Ai, 123.

³³ The men of the other Nevo, 52.

³⁴ The people of the other Elam, 1,254.

³⁵ The Bnei Charim, 320.

³⁶ The Bnei Yericho, 345.

³⁷ The Bnei Lod, Chadid, and Ono, 721.

³⁸ The Bnei Senaah, 3,930.

³⁹ The kohanim; the Bnei Yedayah, of the Bais Yeshua, 973.

⁴⁰ The Bnei Immer, 1,052.

⁴¹ The Bnei Pashchur, 1,247.

⁴² The Bnei Charim, 1,017.

⁴³ The Levi’im; the Bnei Yeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the Bnei Hodvah, 74.

⁴⁴ The singers; the Bnei Asaph, 148.

⁴⁵ The gatekeepers; the Bnei Shallum, the Bnei Ater, the Bnei Talmon, the Bnei Akuv, the Bnei Chatita, the Bnei Shovai, 138.

⁴⁶ The Netinim [servants of the Beis Hamikdash]; the Bnei Tzicha, the Bnei Chasupha, the Bnei Tabbaot,

⁴⁷ The Bnei Keros, the Bnei Sia, the Bnei Padon,

⁴⁸ The Bnei Levanah, the Bnei Chagava, the Bnei Salmai,

⁴⁹ The Bnei Chanan, the Bnei Giddel, the Bnei Gachar,

⁵⁰ The Bnei Reayah, the Bnei Retzin, the Bnei Nekoda,

⁵¹ The Bnei Gazzam, the Bnei Uzza, the Bnei Paseach,

⁵² The Bnei Besai, the Bnei Meunim, the Bnei Nephishesim,

⁵³ The Bnei Bakbuk, the Bnei Chakupha, the Bnei Charchur,

⁵⁴ The Bnei Batzlit, the Bnei Mechida, the Bnei Charsha,

⁵⁵ The Bnei Barkos, the Bnei Sisra, the Bnei Tamach,

⁵⁶ The Bnei Netziach, the Bnei Chatipha.

⁵⁷ The Bnei Avdei Sh’lomo; the Bnei Sotai, the Bnei Sopheret, the Bnei Perida, [T.N. This book teaches that the work of G-d is so difficult, that no one person can do it alone. People working together is a picture of what is involved in being in a Messianic kehillah or any ministry for G-d. We are inspired as we see how the wall came together in only 52 days (see Neh 6:15) when Nehemiah arrived in 445. However, everything was not accomplished quite so fast. The Mizbe’ach and the Beis Hamikdash were restored and the work took place from 538-515 B.C.E. and was finally completed after Darius I (522-486 B.C.E.) gave his official permission, though the foundation of the Beis Hamikdash was laid as early as 536 B.C.E. Then came the reforming work of Ezra in 458 B.C.E. during the reign of Artaxerxes I (465-424).

⁵⁸ The Bnei Yaala, the Bnei Darkon, the Bnei Giddel,

⁵⁹ The Bnei Shephatyah, the Bnei Chattil, the Bnei Pocheret-Hatzvayim, the Bnei Amon.

⁶⁰ All the Netinim, and the Bnei Avdei Sh’lomo, were three hundred ninety and two.

⁶¹ And these were they which went up also from Tel-Melach, Tel-Charsha, Keruv, Addon, and Immer, but they could not show their bais avot, nor their zera, whether they were of Yisroel.

⁶² The Bnei Delayah, the Bnei Toviyah, the Bnei Nekoda, 642.

⁶³ And of the kohanim; the Bnei Chavayah, the Bnei Hakotz, the Bnei Barzillai, which took one of the banot of Barzillai the Gileadi to wife, and was named after their shem.

⁶⁴ These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found; therefore were they, as polluted, put from the Kehunah (Priesthood).

⁶⁵ And the Tirshata said unto them that they should not eat of the kodesh hakodashim until there stood up a kohen with Urim and Tummim.

⁶⁶ The kol hakahal together was 42,360,

⁶⁷ not counting their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were 7,337; and they had 245 meshorarim (singing men) and meshorarot (singing women).

⁶⁸ Their susim, seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;

⁶⁹ Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; six thousand seven hundred and twenty donkeys.

⁷⁰ And some of the chief of the avot gave unto the work. The Tirshata (governor) gave to the treasury a thousand drachmas of zahav, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty kasenos (garments) for the Kohanim.

⁷¹ And some of the chief of the avot gave to the treasury of the work twenty thousand drachmas of zahav, and two thousand and two hundred manim of kesef.

⁷² And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drachmas of zahav, and two thousand manim of kesef, and threescore and seven kasenos for the Kohanim.

⁷³ So the Kohanim, and the Levi’im, and the gatekeepers, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Netinim, and kol Yisroel, dwelt in their towns; |8:1| and when the seventh month [Tishri] came, the Bnei Yisroel were in their towns.

8 And kol HaAm gathered themselves together as one man into the rechov that was before the Water Gate; and they spoke unto Ezra HaSofer to bring the Sefer Torat Moshe, which Hashem had commanded to Yisroel.

² And Ezra HaKohen brought the Torah before the Kahal both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month [Rosh Hashanah].

³ And he read therein before the rechov that was before the Water Gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of kol HaAm were attentive unto the Sefer HaTorah.

⁴ And Ezra HaSofer stood upon a platform of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattityah, and Shema, and Anayah, and Uriyah, and Chilkiyah, and Ma’aseiyah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedayah, and Mishael, and Malkiyah, and Chashum, and Chashbadana, Zecharyah, and Meshullam.

⁵ And Ezra opened the Sefer before the eyes of kol HaAm (for he was above kol HaAm); and when he opened it, all the people stood up.

⁶ And Ezra blessed Hashem, HaElohim HaGadol. And kol HaAm answered, Omein, Omein, with lifting up their hands; and they bowed, and worshiped Hashem with their faces to the ground.

⁷ Also Yeshua, and Bani, and Sherevyah, Yamin, Akuv, Shabtai, Hodiyah, Ma’aseiyah, Kelita, Azaryah, Yozavad, Chanan, Pelayah, and the Levi’im caused the people to understand the Torah; and the people stood in their place.

⁸ So they read from the Sefer Torat HaElohim distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

⁹ And Nechemyah the Tirshata, and Ezra HaKohen HaSofer, and the Levi’im that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is kadosh unto Hashem Eloheichem; mourn not, nor weep. For kol HaAm wept, when they heard the words of the Torah.

¹⁰ Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the choice foods, and drink the sweet things, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is kadosh unto Adoneinu; neither be ye grieving; for the chedvah (joy) of Hashem is your strength.

¹¹ So the Levi’im calmed kol HaAm, saying, Be still, for the day is kadosh; neither be ye grieved.

¹² And kol HaAm went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make simchah gedolah, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

¹³ And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the avot of kol HaAm, the Kohanim, and the Levi’im, unto Ezra HaSofer, to understand the words of the Torah.

¹⁴ And they found written in the Torah which Hashem had commanded by Moshe, that the Bnei Yisroel should dwell in sukkot in the Chag of the seventh month,

¹⁵ And that they should publish and proclaim in all their towns, and in Yerushalayim, saying, Go forth unto the hill country, and bring back olive branches, and wild olive branches, and myrtle, and palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make sukkot, as it is written.

¹⁶ So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves sukkot, every one upon the roof of his bais, and in their courtyards, and in the khatzerot Bais HaElohim, and in the rechov of the Water Gate, and in the rechov of the Ephrayim Gate.

¹⁷ And kol HaKahal of them that were come again out of the captivity made sukkot, and sat under the sukkot; for since the days of Yeshua ben Nun unto that day had not the Bnei Yisroel done so. And there was simchah gedolah.

¹⁸ Also day by day, from the first day unto the last, he read from the Sefer Torat HaElohim. And they kept the Chag seven days; and then came Shmini Atzeret, according unto the mishpat.

9 Now in the 24^th day of this month the Bnei Yisroel were assembled with a tzom, with sack-cloth, and adamah upon them.

² And the Zera Yisroel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their chattot, and the avonot of their avot.

³ And they stood up in their place, and read in the Sefer Torat Hashem Eloheihem one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshiped Hashem Eloheihem.

⁴ Then stood up upon the platform, of the Levi’im, Yeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shevanyah, Bunni, Sherevyah, Bani, and Kenani, and cried with a kol gadol unto Hashem Eloheihem.

⁵ Then the Levi’im, Yeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Chashavneyah, Sherevyah, Hodiyah, Shevanyah, and Petachyah, said, Stand up and bless Hashem Eloheichem for ever and ever; and blessed be Shem Kevodecha, which is exalted above all brocha and tehillah.

⁶ Thou, even Thou, art Hashem alone; Thou hast made HaShomayim, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, ha’aretz, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all; and the Tz’va HaShomayim worshipeth Thee.

⁷ Thou art Hashem HaElohim, Who didst choose Avram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur Kasdim, and gavest shmo Avraham;

⁸ And foundest his lev ne’eman before Thee, and madest habrit (the covenant) with him to give the eretz HaKena’ani, the Chitti, the Emori, and the Perizzi, and the Yevusi, and the Girgashi, to give it to his zera, and hast performed Thy words; for Thou art tzaddik;

⁹ And didst see the affliction of Avoteinu in Mitzrayim, and heardest their cry by the Yam Suf;

¹⁰ And showedst otot and mofetim upon Pharaoh, and on all his avadim, and on kol HaAm of his land; for Thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst Thou get Thee a Shem, as it is this day.

¹¹ And Thou didst divide the yam before them, so that they went through the midst of the yam on the yabashah; and their persecutors Thou threwest into the depths, as an even (stone) into the mighty waters.

¹² Moreover Thou leddest them in the day by an Ammud Anan; and in the night by an Ammud Eish, to give them ohr in the way wherein they should go.

¹³ Thou camest down also upon Mt Sinai, and spoke with them from Shomayim, and gavest them mishpatim yesharim, and torot emes, chukkim and mitzvot tovim;

¹⁴ And madest known unto them Thy Shabbos Kadosh, and commandedst them mitzvot, chukkim, and torah, by the yad of Moshe Thy eved;

¹⁵ And gavest them lechem from Shomayim for their hunger, and broughtest forth mayim for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess Ha’Aretz which Thou hadst sworn to give them.

¹⁶ But they and Avoteinu dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and paid heed not to Thy mitzvot,

¹⁷ And refused to obey, neither were mindful of Thy wonders that Thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a rosh to return to their bondage; but Thou art Eloah Selichot, channun and rachum, slow to anger, and of great chesed, and forsookest them not.

¹⁸ Yea, when they had made them an egel massekhah, and said, This is Eloheicha that brought thee up out of Mitzrayim, or when they committed ne’atzot gedolot (great blasphemies);

¹⁹ Yet Thou in Thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the midbar; the Ammud heAnan departed not from them by day, to lead them in HaDerech; neither the Ammud HaEish by night, to show them light, and HaDerech wherein they should walk.

²⁰ Thou gavest also Thy Ruach HaTovah to instruct them, and withheldest not Thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them mayim for their thirst.

²¹ Yea, arba’im shanah didst Thou sustain them in the midbar, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes did not wear out, and their feet swelled not.

²² Moreover Thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, allotting them as a boundary; so they possessed Eretz Sichon, and Eretz Melech Cheshbon, and Eretz Og Melech HaBashan.

²³ Their children also multipliedst Thou as the kokhavim of Shomayim, and broughtest them into Ha’Aretz, concerning which Thou hadst promised to their avot, that they should go in to possess it.

²⁴ So the children went in and possessed Ha’Aretz, and Thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Kena’anim, and gavest them into their hands, with their melachim, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.

²⁵ And they took fortified cities, and an adamah shemenah, and possessed batim full of all goods, wells dug, kramim, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance; so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.

²⁶ Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against Thee, and cast Thy torah behind their backs, and slaughtered Thy nevi’im which testified against them to turn them to Thee, and they wrought ne’atzot gedolot.

²⁷ Therefore Thou deliveredst them into the yad of their enemies, who oppressed them; and in the time of their tzoros, when they cried unto Thee, Thou heardest them from Shomayim; and according to Thy manifold mercies Thou gavest them moshi’im (deliverers), who saved them out of the yad of their enemies.

²⁸ But after they had rest, they did rah again before Thee; therefore Thou abandoned them unto the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them; yet when they returned, cried unto Thee, Thou heardest them from Shomayim; and many times didst Thou deliver them according to Thy mercies;

²⁹ And testifiedst against them, that Thou mightest bring them again unto Thy torah; yet they dealt proudly, and paid heed not unto Thy mitzvot, but sinned against Thy mishpatim, which if a man do, he shall live in them; and they stubbornly turned their backs, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

³⁰ Yet many shanim didst Thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by Thy Ruach [Hakodesh] by Thy nevi’im; yet would they not give ear; therefore gavest Thou them into the yad of the peoples of the lands.

³¹ Nevertheless for Thy great mercies’ sake Thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for Thou art El Channun v’Rachum.

³² Now therefore, Eloheinu, the great, the mighty, and the terrible G-d, Who keepest brit and chesed, let not all the hardships seem little before Thee, that hath come upon us, on melacheinu, on sareinu, and on Kohaneinu, and on nevi’einu, and on Avoteinu, and on all Thy people, since the time of the melachim of Assyria unto this day.

³³ Howbeit Thou art tzaddik in all that is brought upon us; for Thou hast done emes, but we have done wrong;

³⁴ Neither have melacheinu, sareinu, Kohaneinu, nor Avoteinu, kept Thy torah, nor paid heed unto Thy mitzvot and Thy testimonies, wherewith Thou didst testify against them.

³⁵ For they have not served Thee in their malchut, and in Thy great goodness that Thou gavest them, and in the large and fertile land which Thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.

³⁶ Hinei, we are avadim this day, and for the land that Thou gavest unto Avoteinu to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, hinei, we are avadim in it;

³⁷ And it yieldeth much increase unto the melachim whom Thou hast set over us because of chattoteinu; also they have dominion over geviyyoteinu, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in tzarah gedolah.

^38 (10:1) And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our sarim, Levi’im, and Kohanim, seal unto it.

10 ^(10:2) Now those that sealed were, Nechemyah the tirshata ben Chachalyah, and Tzedekyah,

^2 (3) Serayah, Azaryah, Yirmeyah,

^3 (4) Pashchur, Amaryah, Malkiyah,

^4 (5) Chattush, Shevanyah, Maluch,

^5 (6) Charim, Meremot, Ovadyah,

^6 (7) Daniel, Ginton, Baruch,

^7 (8) Meshullam, Aviyah, Miyamin,

^8 (9) Ma’azyah, Bilgai, Shemayah; these were the kohanim.

^9 (10) And the Levi’im; both Yeshua ben Azanyah, Binnui of the Bnei Chenadad, Kadmiel;

^10 (11) And their brethren, Shevanyah, Hodiyah, Kelita, Pelayah, Chanan,

^11 (12) Micha, Rechov, Chashavyah,

^12 (13) Zakkur, Sherevyah, Shevanyah,

^13 (14) Hodiyah, Bani, and Beninu.

^14 (15) The chief of the people: Parosh, Pachat-Moav, Elam, Zattu, Bani,

^15 (16) Bunni, Azgad, Bevai,

^16 (17) Adoniyah, Bigvai, Adin,

^17 (18) Ater, Chizkiyah, Azzur,

^18 (19) Hodiyah, Chashum, Betzai,

^19 (20) Chariph, Anatot, Neivai,

^20 (21) Magpiash, Meshullam, Chezir,

^21 (22) Meshezav’el, Tzadok, Yaddua,

^22 (23) Pelatyah, Chanan, Anayah,

^23 (24) Hoshea, Chananyah, Chashuv,

^24 (25) Halochesh, Pilcha, Shovek,

^25 (26) Rechum, Chashavnah, Ma’aseiyah,

^26 (27) And Achiyah, Chanan, Anan,

^27 (28) Maluch, Charim, Ba’anah.

^28 (29) And the rest of the people, the Kohanim, the Levi’im, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Netinim, and all they that had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands unto the Torat HaElohim, their wives, their banim, and their banot, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

^29 (30) They were the machazikim (the ones joining) with their brethren, their nobles, and bound themselves with a curse, and into an oath, to walk in Torat HaElohim, which was given by Moshe Eved HaElohim, and to be shomer to do all the mitzvot of Hashem Adoneinu, and His mishpatim and His chukkot;

^30 (31) And that we would not give our banot unto the peoples of the land, not take their banot for our banim;

^31 (32) And if the people of the land bring merchandise or any grain on Shabbos or on Yom Kodesh to sell, that we would not buy it of them on Shabbos, or on Yom Kodesh; and that we would every Shanah HaShevi’it [Ex 23:11] forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.

^32 (33) Also we will assume on us mitzvot, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the Avodat Beis Eloheinu [Mt 17:24];

^33 (34) For the Lechem HaMa’arekhet, and for the Minchat HaTamid, and for the Olat HaTamid, of the Shabbatot, of the Chodashim, for the Mo’adim, and for the Kodashim, and for the Chatta’ot to make kapporah for Yisroel, and for all the work of the Beis Eloheinu.

^34 (35) And we cast the goralot among the Kohanim, the Levi’im, and the people, for the korban of the wood, to bring it into the Beis Eloheinu, after the batim of Avoteinu, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the Mizbe’ach of Hashem Eloheinu, as it is written in the Torah [Lv 6:12-13];

^35 (36) And to bring the bikkurei admateinu, and the bikkurei kol pri kol etz, year by year, unto Beis Hashem;

^36 (37) Also the bechorot baneinu, and of our cattle, as it is written in the Torah, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the Beis Eloheinu, unto the Kohanim that minister in the Beis Eloheinu;

^37 (38) And that we should bring the reshit arisoteinu, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of tirosh and of oil, unto the Kohanim, to the storerooms of the Beis Eloheinu; and the ma’aser of our land unto the Levi’im, that the same Levi’im might collect me’a’serim in all the cities of avodateinu.

^38 (39) And the Kohen Ben Aharon shall be with the Levi’im, when the Levi’im receive tithes; and the Levi’im shall bring up the ma’aser hama’aser unto the Beis Eloheinu, to the storerooms, into the Beis HaOtzar.

^39 (40) For the Bnei Yisroel and the Bnei Levi shall bring the terumah of the grain, of the tirosh, and the oil, unto the storerooms, where are Keli HaMikdash, and the Kohanim that minister, and the gatekeepers, and the singers; and we will not forsake the Beis Eloheinu.

11 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Yerushalayim; the rest of the people also cast goralot, to bring one of ten to dwell in Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.

² And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Yerushalayim.

³ Now these are the chiefs of the province that dwelt in Yerushalayim, but in the towns of Yehudah dwelt every one in his possession in their towns—Yisroel, the Kohanim, and the Levi’im, and the Netinim, and the Bnei Avdei Sh’lomo.

⁴ And at Yerushalayim dwelt certain of the Bnei Yehudah, and of the Bnei Binyamin. Of the Bnei Yehudah; Atayah ben Uziyah, ben Zecharyah, ben Amaryah, ben Shephatyah, ben Mahalal’el, of the children of Peretz;

⁵ And Ma’aseiyah ben Baruch, ben Colchozeh, ben Chazayah, ben Adayah, ben Yoyariv, ben Zecharyah, ben Shelah.

⁶ All the Bnei Peretz that dwelt at Yerushalayim were four hundred threescore and eight anshei chayil.

⁷ And these are the Bnei Binyamin: Sallu ben Meshullam, ben Yoed, ben Pedayah, ben Kolayah, ben Ma’aseiyah, ben Itiel, ben Yeshayah.

⁸ And after him Gabai, Sallai, 928.

⁹ And Yoel ben Zichri was their pakid (overseer), and Yehudah ben Hasnuah was second over the Ir.

¹⁰ Of the Kohanim; Yedayah ben Yoyariv, Yachin,

¹¹ Serayah ben Chilkiyah ben Meshullam ben Tzadok ben Merayot ben Achituv the Nagid Bais HaElohim.

¹² And their brethren that did the work of the Beis {HaMikdash] were eight hundred twenty and two; and Adayah ben Yerocham, ben Pelalyah, ben Amtzi, ben Zecharyah, ben Pashchur, ben Malkiyah.

¹³ And his brethren, chief of the avot, two hundred forty and two; and Amashsai ben Azare’el ben Achzai ben Meshillemot ben Immer,

¹⁴ And their brethren, gibborei chayil, one hundred twenty and eight; and their overseer was Zavdiel ben HaGedolim.

¹⁵ Also of the Levi’im; Shemayah ben Chashuv ben Azrikam ben Chashavyah ben Bunni;

¹⁶ And Shabtai and Yozavad, of the chief of the Levi’im, had the oversight of the outside work of the Beis HaElohim.

¹⁷ And Matanyah ben Micha ben Zavdi ben Asaph was the Rosh leading techillah in tefillah, and Bakbukyah the second among his brethren, and Avda ben Shammua ben Galal ben Yedutun.

¹⁸ All the Levi’im in the Ir HaKodesh were two hundred fourscore and four.

¹⁹ Moreover the gatekeepers, Akuv, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were one hundred seventy and two.

²⁰ And the rest of Yisroel, of the Kohanim, and the Levi’im, were in all the cities of Yehudah, every one in his nachalah.

²¹ But the Netinim dwelt in Ophel, and Tzicha and Gishpa were over the Netinim.

²² The overseer also of the Levi’im at Yerushalayim was Uzzi ben Bani, ben Chashavyah ben Matanyah ben Micha. Of the Bnei Asaph, the singers were responsible for the Beis HaElohim.

²³ For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a regulation be for the singers, over their daily actities.

²⁴ And Petachyah ben Mesheizav’el, of the Bnei Zerach ben Yehudah, was the king’s deputy in all matters concerning the people.

²⁵ And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Yehudah dwelt at Kiryat-Arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Divon, and in the villages thereof, and at Yekabze’el, and in the villages thereof,

²⁶ And at Yeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beit-Pelet,

²⁷ And at Chatzar Shual, and at Beer Sheva, and in the villages thereof,

²⁸ And at Tziklag, and at Mechonah, and in the villages thereof,

²⁹ And at En-Rimmon, and at Tzorah, and at Yarmut,

³⁰ Zanoach, Adulam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from BeerSheva unto the valley of Gehinnom.

³¹ The children also of Binyamin from Geva dwelt at Michmas, and Ayah, and Beit-El, and in their villages.

³² And at Anatot, Nov, Ananyah,

³³ Chatzor, Ramah, Gittayim,

³⁴ Chadid, Tzvo’im, Nevalat,

³⁵ Lud, and Ono, the Gey-HaCharashim.

³⁶ And of the Levi’im were divisions in Yehudah and in Binyamin.

12 Now these are the Kohanim and the Levi’im that went up with Zerubavel ben Sh’altiel, and Yeshua; Serayah, Yirmeyah, Ezra,

² Amaryah, Maluch, Chattush,

³ Shechanyah, Rechum, Meremot,

⁴ Iddo, Gintoi, Achiyah,

⁵ Miyamin, Ma’adiyah, Bilgah,

⁶ Shemayah, and Yoyariv, Yedayah,

⁷ Sallu, Amok, Chilkiyah, Yedayah. These were the chief of the Kohanim and of their brethren in the days of Yeshua.

⁸ Moreover the Levi’im; Yeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherevyah, Yehudah, and Matanyah, which was over the huyedot, he and his brethren.

⁹ Also Bakbukyah and Unni, their brethren, were opposite them in the mishmarot (services).

¹⁰ And Yeshua fathered Yoyakim, Yoyakim also fathered Elyashiv, and Elyashiv fathered Yoyada,

¹¹ And Yoyada fathered Yonatan, and Yonatan fathered Yaddua.

¹² And in the days of Yoyakim these were Kohanim rashei haAvot; of Serayah, Merayah; of Yirmeyah, Chananyah;

¹³ Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amaryah, Yehochanan;

¹⁴ Of Melichu, Yonatan; of Shevanyah, Yosef;

¹⁵ Of Charim, Adna; of Merayot, Chelkai;

¹⁶ Of Iddo, Zecharyah; of Ginton, Meshullam;

¹⁷ Of Achiyah, Zichri; of Minyamin, of Moadyah, Piltai;

¹⁸ Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemayah, Yehonatan;

¹⁹ And of Yoyariv, Matnai; of Yedayah, Uzzi;

²⁰ Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Ever;

²¹ Of Chilkiyah, Chashavyah; of Yedayah, Netanel.

²² The Levi’im in the days of Elyashiv, Yoyada, and Yochanan, and Yaddua, were recorded rashei haAvot; also the kohanim, to the reign of Daryavesh the Persian.

²³ The Bnei Levi, the rashei haAvot, were written in the Sefer Divrei Hayamim, even until the days of Yochanan ben Elyashiv.

²⁴ And the chiefs of the Levi’im: Chashavyah, Sherevyah, and Yeshua ben Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the mitzvat Dovid Ish HaElohim, choir opposite choir.

²⁵ Matanyah, and Bakbukyah, Ovadyah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akuv, were gatekeepers keeping the storerooms of the gates.

²⁶ These were in the days of Yoyakim ben Yeshua ben Yotzadak, and in the days of Nechemyah the governor, and of Ezra HaKohen HaSofer.

²⁷ And at the dedication of the Chomat Yerushalayim they sought the Levi’im from all their places, to bring them to Yerushalayim, to keep the dedication with simchah, both with todot, and with singing, with cymbals, nevalim, and with kinorot.

²⁸ And Bnei HaMishorerim gathered themselves together, both out of the region around Yerushalayim, and from the villages of Netophati;

²⁹ Also from the Bais Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geva and Azmavet; for the singers had built villages around Yerushalayim.

³⁰ Kohanim and Levi’im made themselves tahor, and made the people tahor, the gates, and the chomah.

³¹ Then I brought up the sarim of Yehudah upon the chomah, and appointed two great choirs to give thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the Dung Gate;

³² And after them went Hoshayah, and half of the sarim of Yehudah,

³³ And Azaryah, Ezra, and Meshullam,

³⁴ Yehudah, Binyamin, Shemayah, and Yirmeyah,

³⁵ And certain of the banim of kohanim with trumpets; namely Zecharyah ben Yonatan ben Shemayah ben Matanyah ben Michayah ben Zaccur ben Asaph;

³⁶ And his brethren, Shemayah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Ma’ai, Netanel, and Yehudah, Chanani, with the musical instruments of Dovid the Ish HaElohim, and Ezra the Sofer before them.

³⁷ And at the Fountain Gate they went up by the steps of Ir Dovid, at the going up of the wall, above the Bais Dovid, even the Water Gate eastward.

³⁸ The other company of them that gave thanks went opposite them, I after them, and half the people upon the wall, from beyond the Migdal of the Ovens even unto the Broad Wall;

³⁹ And from above the Ephrayim Gate, and above the Old Gate, and above the Fish Gate, and the Migdal of Chanane’el, and the Migdal of the Hundred, even unto the Sheep Gate; and they stood still in the Prison Gate.

⁴⁰ So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the Beis HaElohim, and I, and the half of the officials with me;

⁴¹ And the Kohanim: Elyakim, Ma’aseiyah, Minyamin, Michayah, Elyoeinai, Zecharyah, and Chananyah, with trumpets;

⁴² And Ma’aseiyah, Shemayah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Yehochanan, Malchiyah, Eilam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Yizrachyah their overseer.

⁴³ Also that day they offered zevakhim gedolim, and rejoiced, for HaElohim had made them rejoice with great joy; the wives also and the children rejoiced, so that the joy of Yerushalayim was heard even afar off.

⁴⁴ And at that time were some appointed over the storerooms for the Otzarot, for terumot, for the reshit, and for ma’aserot (tithes), to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions required by the Torah for the Kohanim and Levi’im: for Yehudah rejoiced for the Kohanim and for the Levi’im stationed [in Beis Hashem].

⁴⁵ They performed the Mishmeret Eloheihem and the Mishmeret HaTahorah according to the commandment of Dovid, and of Sh’lomo bno.

⁴⁶ For in the days of Dovid and Asaph of old there were chiefs of the singers, and shir tehillah and hodot unto Elohim.

⁴⁷ And kol Yisroel in the days of Zerubavel, and in the days of Nechemyah, gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, every day its portion; and they set aside as kodesh the portion for the Levi’im; and the Levi’im set aside as kodesh the portion for the Bnei Aharon. [T.N. See "days of Yeshua" Neh 12:7, Kohen Gadol ca. 560-490 B.C.E. resurrected from the national death in Golus and namesake of Moshiach Zech 6:11-12]

13 On that day they read in the Sefer Moshe in the ears of HaAm; and therein was found written, that the Ammoni and the Moavi should not come into the Kehal HaElohim forever,

² Because they met not the Bnei Yisroel with lechem and with mayim, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them; howbeit Eloheinu turned the kelalah into a brocha.

³ Now it came to pass, when they had heard the Torah, that they separated from Yisroel all the foreign descent.

⁴ And before this, Elyashiv the Kohen, having the oversight of the storeroom of the Beis Eloheinu, was allied unto Toviyah;

⁵ And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the minchah, the levonah, and the vessels, and the ma’aser of the grain, the tirosh, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levi’im, and the singers, and the gatekeepers; and the terumat hakohanim.

⁶ But in all this time was not I at Yerushalayim; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artachshasta Melech Bavel came I unto HaMelech, and after certain days obtained I leave of HaMelech;

⁷ And I came to Yerushalayim, and understood of the evil that Elyashiv did for Toviyah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the Beis HaElohim.

⁸ And it grieved me much; therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Toviyah out of the chamber.

⁹ Then I commanded, and they made tahor the chambers, and there brought I again the vessels of the Beis HaElohim, with the minchah and the levonah.

¹⁰ And I perceived that the portions of the Levi’im had not been given them, for the Levi’im and the singers, that did the work, had gone back every one to his sadeh.

¹¹ Then contended I with the officials, and said, Why is the Beis HaElohim forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

¹² Then brought all Yehudah the ma’asar of the grain and the tirosh and the oil unto the Otzarot.

¹³ And I made over the Otzarot Shelemyah the Kohen, and Tzadok the Sofer, and of the Levi’im, Pedayah; and next to them was Chanan ben Zakkur, ben Matanyah; for they were considered ne’emanim, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.

¹⁴ Remember me, O Elohai, concerning this, and wipe not out my faithful deeds that I have done for the Beis Elohai, and for the offices thereof.

¹⁵ In those days saw I in Yehudah some treading winepresses on Shabbos, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys; as also yayin, grapes, and figs, and all manner of massa (burdens), which they brought into Yerushalayim on Shabbos; and I warned them against selling food on Shabbos.

¹⁶ There dwelt men of Tzor also therein, which brought dag (fish), and all manner of merchandise, and sold on Shabbos unto the Bnei Yehudah, and in Yerushalayim.

¹⁷ Then I contended with the nobles of Yehudah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, being Mechallel Shabbos (desecrator of Shabbos)?

¹⁸ Did not your avot thus, and did not Eloheinu bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? Yet ye bring more wrath upon Yisroel by committing Chillul Shabbos (desecration of Shabbos).

¹⁹ And it came to pass, that when the gates of Yerushalayim began to be dark before Shabbos, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after Shabbos, and some of my own men set I at the gates, that there should no massa (burden) be brought in on Shabbos.

²⁰ Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of merchandise lodged outside Yerushalayim.

²¹ Then I warned them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on Shabbos.

²² And I commanded the Levi’im that they should make themselves tahor, and that they should come and be shomer over the gates, to set apart as kodesh Shabbos. Remember me, O Elohai, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Thy mercy.

²³ In those days also saw I Yehudim that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moav,

²⁴ And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the language of the Yehudim, but according to the language of each people.

²⁵ And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by Elohim, saying, Ye shall not give your banot unto their banim, nor take their banot unto your banim, or for yourselves.

²⁶ Did not Sh’lomo Melech Yisroel sin by these things? Yet among many Goyim was there no melech like him, who was beloved of Elohav, and Elohim made him melech over kol Yisroel. Nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin.

²⁷ Shall we then pay heed unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against Eloheinu in marrying strange wives?

²⁸ And one of the Bnei Yoyada ben Elyashiv, the Kohen HaGadol, was son-inlaw to Sanvalat the Choroni; therefore I drove him away from me.

²⁹ Remember them, O Elohai, because they have defiled the kehunah, and the brit (covenant) of the kehunah, and of the Levi’im.

³⁰ Thus I cleansed them from all that is foreign, and had them attend again to the duties of the Kohanim and the Levi’im, every one in his appointed work;

³¹ And for the korban of wood, at times appointed, and for the bikkurim. Remember me, O Elohai, for good.

1 Adam, Shet, Enosh,

² Kainan, Mahalal’el, Yered,

³ Chanoch, Metushelach, Lemech,

⁴ Noach, Shem, Cham, and Yephet.

⁵ The Bnei Yephet: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Yavan, and Tuval, and Meshech, and Tiras.

⁶ And the Bnei Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Diphat, and Togarmah.

⁷ And the Bnei Yavan: Elishah, and Tarshishah, Kittim, and Rodanim.

⁸ The Bnei Cham: Cush, and Mitzrayim, Put, and Kena’an.

⁹ And the Bnei Cush: Seva, and Chavilah, and Savta, and Ra’amah, and Savtecha. And the Bnei Ra’amah: Sheva, and Dedan.

¹⁰ And Cush fathered Nimrod; he began to be a gibbor (mighty) one upon ha’aretz.

¹¹ And Mitzrayim fathered Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehavim, and Naphtuchim,

¹² And Patrusim, and Casluchim (of whom came the Pelishtim [Philistines]), and Caphtorim.

¹³ And Kena’an fathered Tzidon his bechor, and Chet,

¹⁴ The Yevusi also, and the Emori, and the Girgashi,

¹⁵ And the Chivi, and the Arki, and the Sini,

¹⁶ And the Arvadi, and the Tzemari, and the Chamati.

¹⁷ The Bnei Shem: Elam, and Ashur, and Arphachshad, and Lud, and Aram, and Utz, and Chul, and Geter, and Meshech.

¹⁸ And Arphachshad fathered Shelach, and Shelach fathered Ever.

¹⁹ And unto Ever were born two banim; the shem of the one was Peleg because in his days ha’aretz was divided [Gn 11:1-9]; and his brother’s shem was Yoktan.

²⁰ And Yoktan fathered Almodad, and Sheleph, and Chatzarmavet, and Yerach,

²¹ Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah,

²² And Eval, and Avimael, and Sheva,

²³ And Ophir, and Chavilah, and Yovav. All these were the Bnei Yoktan.

²⁴ Shem, Arphachshad, Shelach,

²⁵ Ever, Peleg, Reu,

²⁶ Serug, Nachor, Terach,

²⁷ Avram, the same is Avraham.

²⁸ The Bnei Avraham: Yitzchak, and Yishmael.

²⁹ These are their toldot; The bechor of Yishmael, Nevayot; then Kedar, Adbe’el, Mivsam,

³⁰ Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Chadad, Tema,

³¹ Yetur, Naphish, Kedemah. These are the Bnei Yishmael.

³² Now the Bnei Keturah, Avraham’s pilegesh; she bore Zimran, Yokshan, Medan, Midyan, Yishbak, and Shuach. And the Bnei Yokshan; Sheva, and Dedan.

³³ And the Bnei Midyan: Ephah, Epher, Chanoch, Avida, and Eldaah. All these are the Bnei Keturah.

³⁴ And Avraham fathered Yitzchak. The Bnei Yitzchak: Esav and Yisroel.

³⁵ The Bnei Esav: Eliphaz, Reuel, Yeush, Ya’alam, Korach.

³⁶ The Bnei Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Tzephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, Amalek.

³⁷ The Bnei Reuel: Nachat, Zerach, Shammah, Mizzah.

³⁸ And the Bnei Seir: Lotan, Shoval, Tziveon, Anah, Dishon, Etzer, and Dishan.

³⁹ And the Bnei Lotan: Chori, Homam; Timna was Lotan’s achot.

⁴⁰ The Bnei Shoval: Alyan, Manachat, Eval, Shephi, Onam. The Bnei Tziveon: Ayah and Anah.

⁴¹ The Bnei Anah: Dishon. And the Bnei Dishon: Chamran, Eshban, Yitran, and Keran.

⁴² The Bnei Etzer: Bilhan, Za’avan, Ya’akan. The Bnei Dishan: Utz, and Aran.

⁴³ Now these are the melachim that reigned in Eretz Edom before any melech reigned over the Bnei Yisroel: Bela Ben Beor; and the shem of his city was Dinhavah.

⁴⁴ And when Bela was dead, Yovav Ben Zerach of Botzrah reigned in his place.

⁴⁵ And when Yovav was dead, Chusham of Eretz Temani reigned in his place.

⁴⁶ And when Chusham was dead, Hadad Ben Bedad, which defeated Midyan in the sadeh Moav, reigned in his place; and the shem of his city was Avit.

⁴⁷ And when Hadad was dead, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

⁴⁸ And when Samlah was dead, Sha’ul of Rechovot-bythe-river reigned in his place.

⁴⁹ And when Sha’ul was dead, Ba’al-Chanan Ben Achbor reigned in his place.

⁵⁰ And when Baal-Chanan was dead, Hadad reigned in his place; and the shem of his city was Pai; and the shem of his isha was Mehetavel Bat Matred Bat Mei-Zahav.

⁵¹ Hadad died also. And the Allufim of Edom were; Timnah, Alvah, Yetet,

⁵² Oholivamah, Elah, Pinon,

⁵³ Kenaz, Teman, Mivtzar,

⁵⁴ Magdiel, Iram. These are the Allufim of Edom.

2 These are the Bnei Yisroel: Reuven, Shim’on, Levi, and Yehudah, Yissakhar, and Zevulun,

² Dan, Yosef, and Binyamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

³ The Bnei Yehudah: Er, and Onan, and Shelah, which three were born unto him of Bat-Shua the Kanaanit. And Er, the bechor of Yehudah, was rah in the eyes of Hashem; and He put him to death.

⁴ And Tamar his kallah (daughter-in-law) bore him Peretz and Zerach. All the Bnei Yehudah were five.

⁵ The Bnei Peretz: Chetzron, and Chamul.

⁶ And the Bnei Zerach; Zimri, and Eitan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara, five of them in all.

⁷ And the Bnei Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Yisroel, who transgressed the cherem.

⁸ And the Bnei Eitan; Azaryah.

⁹ The Bnei Chetzron also, that were born unto him: Yerachme’el, and Ram, and Keluvai.

¹⁰ And Ram fathered Amminadav; and Amminadav fathered Nachshon Nasi Bnei Yehudah;

¹¹ And Nachshon fathered Salma; Salma fathered Boaz,

¹² And Boaz fathered Oved, and Oved fathered Yishai,

¹³ And Yishai fathered his bechor Eliav, and Avinadav the second, and Shimma the third,

¹⁴ Netanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,

¹⁵ Otzem the sixth, Dovid the seventh;

¹⁶ Whose achayot (sisters) were Tzeruyah, and Avigal. And the Bnei Tzeruyah: Avishai, and Yoav, and Asahel, three.

¹⁷ And Avigal bore Amasa, and avi Amasa was Yeter the Yishme’eli.

¹⁸ And Kalev Ben Chetzron fathered by Azuvah his isha, and by Yeriot; her banim are these; Yesher, and Shovav, and Ardon.

¹⁹ And when Azuvah was dead, Kalev took [as isha] unto him Ephrat, which bore him Chur.

²⁰ And Chur fathered Uri, and Uri fathered Betzale’el.

²¹ And afterward Chetzron went in to the Bat Machir avi Gil’ad, whom he married when his age was threescore shanim; and she bore him Seguv.

²² And Seguv fathered Yair, who had three and twenty towns in Eretz Gil’ad.

²³ And he took Geshur, and Aram, with Chavvot Yair, from them, with Kenat, and the towns thereof, even threescore towns. All these belonged to the Bnei Machir avi Gil’ad.

²⁴ And after that Chetzron was dead in Kalev Ephratah, then Aviyah Chetzron’s isha bore him Ashchur avi Tekoa.

²⁵ And the Bnei Yerachme’el the bechor of Chetzron were Ram the bechor, and Bunah, and Oren, and Otzem, and Achiyah.

²⁶ Yerachme’el had also another isha, whose shem was Atarah; she was the em of Onam.

²⁷ And the Bnei Ram the bechor of Yerachme’el were Ma’atz, and Yamin, and Eker.

²⁸ And the Bnei Onam were Shammai, and Yada. And the Bnei Shammai; Nadav and Avishur.

²⁹ And the shem of the isha of Avishur was Avichayil, and she bore him Achban, and Molid.

³⁰ And the Bnei Nadav: Seled, and Apayim, but Seled died without banim.

³¹ And the Bnei Apayim; Yishi. And the Bnei Yishi; Sheshan. And the Bnei Sheshan; Achlai.

³² And the Bnei Yada the brother of Shammai: Yeter, and Yonatan, and Yeter died without banim.

³³ And the Bnei Yonatan: Pelet, and Zaza. These were the Bnei Yerachme’el.

³⁴ Now Sheshan had no banim, but only banot. And Sheshan had an eved, a Mitzri (an Egyptian), shmo Yarcha.

³⁵ And Sheshan gave his bat to Yarcha his eved as isha; and she bore him Attai.

³⁶ And Attai fathered Natan, and Natan fathered Zavad,

³⁷ And Zavad fathered Ephlal, and Ephlal fathered Oved,

³⁸ And Oved fathered Yehu, and Yehu fathered Azaryah,

³⁹ And Azaryah fathered Cheletz, and Cheletz fathered Eleasah,

⁴⁰ And Eleasah fathered Sismai, and Sismai fathered Shallum,

⁴¹ And Shallum fathered Yekamyah, and Yekamyah fathered Elishama.

⁴² Now the Bnei Kalev the brother of Yerachme’el were Mesha his bechor, who was avi Ziph; and the Bnei Mareshah avi Chevron.

⁴³ And the Bnei Chevron; Korach, and Tapuach, and Rekem, and Shema.

⁴⁴ And Shema fathered Racham avi Yorkeam; and Rekem fathered Shammai.

⁴⁵ And the Ben of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was avi Beit-tzur.

⁴⁶ And Ephah, Kalev’s pilegesh, bore Charan, Motza, Gazez; and Charan fathered Gazez.

⁴⁷ And the Bnei Yahdai; Regem, and Yotam, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Eiphah, and Sha’aph.

⁴⁸ Ma’achah, Kalev’s pilegesh (concubine), bore Shever, and Tirchanah.

⁴⁹ She bore also Sha’aph avi Madmannah, Sheva avi Machbenah, and avi Givea; and the Bat Kalev was Achsa.

⁵⁰ These were the Bnei Kalev Ben Chur, the bechor of Ephratah; Shoval avi Kiryat Yearim.

⁵¹ Salma avi Beit-lechem, Chareph avi Beit-gader.

⁵² And Shoval avi Kiryat Yearim had banim; Haroeh, and half of Manuchot.

⁵³ And the mishpekhot of Kiryat Yearim; the Yitri, and the Puti, and the Shumati, and the Mishra’i; of them came the Tzareati, and the Eshtauli.

⁵⁴ The Bnei Salma; Beitlechem, and the Netophati, Atarot Bais Yoav, and half of the Manachati, the Tzori.

⁵⁵ And the mishpekhot of the sofrim (scribes) which dwelt at Yabetz; the Tiratim, the Shimeatim, and Sukhatim. These are the Kinim that came of Chamat avi Bais Rechav.

3 Now these were the Bnei Dovid, which were born unto him in Chevron; the bechor Amnon, of Achinoam of Yizre’el; the second Daniel, of Aviga’il of Carmel;

² The third, Avshalom Ben Ma’achah Bat Talmai Melech Geshur; the fourth, Adoniyah Ben Chaggit;

³ The fifth, Shephatyah of Avital; the sixth, Yitream by Eglah his isha.

⁴ These six were born unto him in Chevron; and there he reigned sheva shanim and shishah chodashim; and in Yerushalayim he reigned shloshim and shalosh shanah.

⁵ And these were born unto him in Yerushalayim: Shimea, and Shovav, and Natan, and Sh’lomo, four, by Bat-Shu’a Bat Ammiel;

⁶ Yivchar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,

⁷ And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Yaphia,

⁸ And Elishama, and Elyada, and Eliphelet, nine.

⁹ These were all the Bnei Dovid, besides the Bnei Pilagshim (concubines), and Tamar their achot.

¹⁰ And Ben Sh’lomo was Rechav’am, Aviyah bno, Asa bno, Yehoshaphat bno,

¹¹ Yoram bno, Achazyahu bno, Yoash bno,

¹² Amatzyahu bno, Azaryah bno, Yotam bno,

¹³ Achaz bno, Chizkiyahu bno, Menasheh bno,

¹⁴ Amon bno, Yoshiyahu bno.

¹⁵ And the Bnei Yoshiyahu were, the bechor Yochanan, the second Y’hoyakim, the third Tzidkiyahu, the fourth Shallum.

¹⁶ And the Bnei Y’hoyakim; Yechanyah bno, Tzidkiyah bno.

¹⁷ And the Bnei Yechanyah: Assir, She’alti’el bno,

¹⁸ Malkiram also, and Pedayah, Shenatzar, Yekamuyah, Hoshama, and Nedavyah.

¹⁹ And the Ben Pedayah were: Zerubavel and Shimei. And Bnei Zerubavel: Meshullam, and Chananyah, and Shlomit their achot;

²⁰ And Chashuvah, Ohel, Berechyah, Chasadyah, Yushav-chesed, 5.

²¹ And the Ben Chananyah: Pelatyah, and Yeshayah, the Bnei Refayah, the Bnei Arnan, the Bnei Ovadyah, the Bnei Shechanyah.

²² And the Bnei Shechanyah: Shema’yah; and the Bnei Shema’yah: Chattush, Igeal, Bariach, Nearyah, Shaphat, 6.

²³ The Ben Nearyah: Elyoenai, Chizkiyah, Azrikam, 3.

²⁴ And the Bnei Elyoenai were Hodavahu, and Elyashiv, and Pelayah, and Akuv, and Yochanan, and Delayah, and Anani, 7.

4 The Bnei Yehudah; Peretz, Chetzron, and Carmi, and Chur, and Shoval.

² And Reayah Ben Shoval fathered Yachat; and Yachat fathered Achumai, and Lahad. These are the mishpekhot of the Tzorati.

³ And these were the sons of Etam; Yizre’el (Jezreel), Yishma, Yidbash; and the shem of their achot (sister) was Hatzlelponi;

⁴ And Penuel avi Gedor, and Ezer avi Chushah. These are the Bnei Chur, the bechor of Ephratah avi Beit- Lechem.

⁵ And Ashchur avi Tekoa had two nashim (wives), Chelah and Na’arah.

⁶ And Na’arah bore him Achuzam, Chepher, Temeni, Achashtari, the Bnei Na’arah.

⁷ And the Bnei Chelah were Tzeret, and Yetzochar, and Etnan.

⁸ And Kotz fathered Anuv, and Tzovevah, and the mishpekhot of Acharchel Ben Harum.

⁹ And Yabetz was more honorable than his brethren; and immo (his mother) called shmo Yabetz, saying, Because I bore him beotzev (with sorrow).

¹⁰ And Yabetz called on Elohei Yisroel, saying, O that Thou wouldest put a barucha on me indeed, and enlarge my territory, and that Thine yad might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from ra’ah, that it may not grieve me! And Elohim granted him that which he requested.

¹¹ And Keluv achi (brother of) Shuchah fathered Mechir avi Eshton.

¹² And Eshton fathered Beit Rapha, and Paseach, and Techinnah avi Ir Nachash. These are the anashim of Rechah.

¹³ And the Bnei Kenaz; Otniel, and Serayah; and the Bnei Otniel; Chatat.

¹⁴ And Meonotai fathered Ophrah; and Serayah fathered Yoav avi Gey Charashim; for they were charashim (craftsmen).

¹⁵ And the Bnei Kalev Ben Yephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Na’am; and the Bnei Elah, even Kenaz.

¹⁶ And the Bnei Yehallelel; Ziph, and Ziphah, Tirya, and Asare’el.

¹⁷ And the Bnei Ezrah were Yeter, and Mered, and Epher, and Yalon; and she bore Miryam, and Shammai, and Yishbach avi Eshtemo’a.

¹⁸ And his isha Yehudiyah bore Yered avi Gedor, Chever avi Socho, and Yekutiel avi Zanoach. And these are the Bnei Bityah Bat Pharaoh, which Mered took [as isha].

¹⁹ And the Bnei eshet Hodiyah the achot (sister) of Nacham avi Keilah the Garmi, and Eshtemo’a the Ma’achati.

²⁰ And the Bnei Shimon were Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben-Chanan, and Tilon. And the Bnei Yishi were Zochet, and Ben-Zochet.

²¹ The Bnei Shelah Ben Yehudah were Er avi Lechah, and La’adah avi Mareshah, and the mishpekhot of the bais of them that were workers with fine linen, of the Bais Ashbe’a,

²² And Yokim, and the anashim of Chozeva, and Yoash, and Saraph who ruled in Moav, and Yashuvi Lechem. And these are ancient records.

²³ These were the yotzerim, (potters) and those that dwelt in Neta’im and Gederah; there they dwelt and worked for the melech.

²⁴ The Bnei Shim’on were Nemuel, and Yamin, Yariv, Zerach and Sha’ul;

²⁵ Shallum bno, Mivsam bno, Mishma bno.

²⁶ And the Bnei Mishma: Chamuel bno, Zakkur bno, Shimei bno.

²⁷ And Shimei had sixteen banim and six banot, but his brethren had not many banim, neither did all their mishpakhat multiply like the Bnei Yehudah.

²⁸ And they dwelt at Beer-Sheva, and Moladah, and Chatzar Shual,

²⁹ And at Bilhah, and at Etzem, and at Tolad,

³⁰ And at Betuel, and at Chormah, and at Tziklag,

³¹ And at Beit Marcavot, and Chatzar Susim, and at Beit Biri, and at Sha’arayim. These were their towns until the reign of Dovid.

³² And their villages were Etam, and Ayin, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five towns;

³³ And all their villages were all around these towns as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and their genealogical records.

³⁴ And Meshovav, and Yamlech, and Yoshah Ben Amatzyah,

³⁵ And Yoel, and Yehu Ben Yoshivyah Ben Serayah Ben Asiel,

³⁶ And Elyo’enai, and Ya’akovah, and Yeshochayah, and Asayah, and Adiel, and Yesimiel, and Benayah,

³⁷ And Ziza Ben Shiphi Ben Allon Ben Yedayah Ben Shimri Ben Shema’yah.

³⁸ These listed by their shmot were nasi’im in their mishpekhot; and the bais of avoteihem increased greatly.

³⁹ And they went to the outlying area of Gedor, even unto the east side of the gey (valley), to seek mireh (pasture) for their tzon.

⁴⁰ And they found mireh fertile and tov, and ha’aretz was spacious, and quiet, and peaceful; for they of Cham had dwelt there of old.

⁴¹ And these listed by shemot came in the days of Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah, and attacked their ohalim, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their place, because there was mireh there for their tzon.

⁴² And some of them, even of the Bnei Shim’on, five hundred anashim, went to Har Seir, having for their leaders Pelatyah, and Nearyah, and Refayah, and Uzziel, the Bnei Yishi.

⁴³ And they struck the she’erit (remnant) of Amalek that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.

5 Now the Bnei Reuven the bechor Yisroel, for he was the bechor; but forasmuch as he defiled the bed of aviv, his bechorah (firstborn birthright) was given unto the Bnei Yosef Ben Yisroel, though [the latter was] not listed in the family registers as the bechorah.

² For Yehudah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the nagid; but the bechorah (portion of the firstborn) was Yosef’s.

³ The Bnei Reuven bechor Yisroel were Chanoch, and Pallu, Chetzron, and Carmi.

⁴ The Bnei Yoel: Shema’yah bno, Gog bno, Shimei bno,

⁵ Michah bno, Reayah bno, Ba’al bno,

⁶ Be’erah bno, whom Tilgat Pilneser Melech Ashur carried away into the Golus; he was nasi of the Reuveni.

⁷ And his relatives by their mishpekhot, when the genealogy of their toldot was reckoned, were the rosh, Ye’i’el, and Zecharyah,

⁸ And Bela Ben Azaz Ben Shema Ben Yoel who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nevo and Baal Meon;

⁹ And eastward he inhabited as far as the beginning of the midbar from the river Euphrates, because their mikneh (livestock) were multiplied in Eretz Gil’ad.

¹⁰ And in the days of Sha’ul they made milchamah with the Hagari’im, who fell by their yad; and they dwelt in their ohalim (tents) throughout all the area east of Gil’ad.

¹¹ And the Bnei Gad dwelt next to them, in the Eretz Bashan as far as Salchah;

¹² Yoel the rosh, and Shapham the mishneh (second), and Ya’nai, and Shaphat in Bashan.

¹³ And their achim of the bais avoteihem were Micha’el, and Meshullam, and Sheva, and Yorai, and Yakan, and Zia, and Ever, shivah (seven) in all.

¹⁴ These are the Bnei Avichayil Ben Churi Ben Yaroach Ben Gil’ad Ben Micha’el Ben Yeshishai Ben Yachdo Ben Buz.

¹⁵ Achi Ben Avdi’el Ben Guni was rosh of the bais avoteihem.

¹⁶ And they dwelt in Gil’ad in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the migrashim (open lands) of Sharon, within their borders.

¹⁷ All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Yotam Melech Yehudah, and in the days of Yarov’am Melech Yisroel.

¹⁸ The Bnei Reuven, and the Gadi, and half the shevet (tribe) of Menasheh, of bnei chayil, anashim able to bear mogen and cherev, and to shoot with keshet, and trained for milchamah, were four and forty elef seven hundred and threescore, that were ready for military service.

¹⁹ And they waged milchamah against the Hagari’im, with Yetur, and Naphish, and Nodav.

²⁰ And they were helped against them, and the Hagari’im were delivered into their yad, and all that were with them, for they cried to Elohim in the milchamah, and He was entreated of them [T.N. These genealogies establish the massively eyewitnessed veracity of the death and resurrection of Israel in and from the Golus.] because they put their trust in Him.

²¹ And they took away their mikneh: of their gemalim fifty elef, and of tzon two hundred and fifty elef, and of chamorim two thousand, and of nefesh adam a hundred elef.

²² For there fell down many slain, because the milchamah was Elohim’s. And they took up residence in their place until the Golus.

²³ And Bnei chatzi (half) shevet Menasheh dwelt in the land. They increased from Bashan unto Ba’al Chermon and Senir, and unto Har Chermon.

²⁴ And these were the heads of the bais avotam, even Epher, Yishi, Eliel, Azriel, Yirmeyah, and Hodavyah, and Yachdiel, anashim gibborei chayil, famous men, and heads of the bais avotam.

²⁵ And they transgressed against Elohei Avoteihem, and went a-whoring after the elohim of the peoples of the land, whom Elohim made shmad before them.

²⁶ And Elohei Yisroel stirred up the ruach of Pul Melech Ashur, and the ruach of Tilgat Pilneser Melech Ashur, and he carried them away into Golus, even the Reuveni, and the Gadi, and the half tribe of Menasheh, and brought them unto Chalach, and Chavor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

6 The Bnei Levi: Gershon, Kehat, and Merari.

^2 (28) And the Bnei Kehat: Amram, Yitzhar, and Chevron, and Uzziel.

^3 (29) And the Bnei Amram: Aharon, and Moshe, and Miryam. The bnei Aharon; Nadav, and Avihu, Eleazar, and Itamar.

^4 (30) Eleazar fathered Pinchas, Pinchas fathered Avishua,

^5 (31) And Avishua fathered Bukki, and Bukki fathered Uzzi,

^6 (32) And Uzzi fathered Zerachyah, and Zerachyah fathered Merayot,

^7 (33) Merayot fathered Amaryah, and Amaryah fathered Achituv,

^8 (34) And Achituv fathered Tzadok, and Tzadok fathered Achima’atz,

^9 (35) And Achima’atz fathered Azaryah, and Azaryah fathered Yochanan,

^10 (36) And Yochanan fathered Azaryah (he it is that executed the kohen’s office in the Beis [Hamikdash] that Sh’lomo built in Yerushalayim),

^11 (37) And Azaryah fathered Amaryah, and Amaryah fathered Achituv,

^12 (38) And Achituv fathered Tzadok, and Tzadok fathered Shallum,

^13 (39) And Shallum fathered Chilkiyah, and Chilkiyah fathered Azaryah,

^14 (40) And Azaryah fathered Serayah, and Serayah fathered Yehotzadak,

^15 (41) And Yehotzadak went into the Golus, when Hashem carried away Yehudah and Yerushalayim by the yad of Nevuchadnetzar.

^16 (6:1) The Bnei Levi: Gershom, Kehat, and Merari.

^17 (6:2) And these are the shmot of the Bnei Gershom: Livni and Shimei.

^18 (6:3) And the Bnei Kehat were Amram, and Yitzhar, and Chevron, and Uzziel.

^19 (6:4) The Bnei Merari: Machli and Mushi. And these are the mishpekhot of the Levi’im according to avoteihem.

^20 (6:5) Of Gershom: Livni bno, Yachat bno, Zimmah bno,

^21 (6:6) Yoach bno, Iddo bno, Zerach bno, Yeaterai bno.

^22 (6:7) The Bnei Kehat: Amminadav bno, Korach bno, Assir bno,

^23 (6:8) Elkanah bno, and Evyasaph bno, and Assir bno,

^24 (6:9) Tachat bno, Uriel bno, Uziyah bno, and Sha’ul bno.

^25 (6:10) And the Bnei Elkanah: Amasai, and Achimot.

^26 (6:11) As for Elkanah, the Bnei Elkanah: Tzophai bno, and Nachat bno,

^27 (6:12) Eliav bno, Yerocham bno, Elkanah bno.

^28 (6:13) And the Bnei Shmuel: the bechor [Yoel], and the second, Aviyah.

^29 (6:14) The Bnei Merari: Machli, Livni bno, Shimei bno, Uzzah bno,

^30 (6:15) Shimea bno, Chagiyah bno, Asayah bno.

^31 (6:16) And these are they whom Dovid set over the service of shir (song) in the Beis Hashem, after the Menoach HaAron (the coming to rest of the Ark).

^32 (6:17) And they were the mesharetim (ministers) before the Mishkan Ohel Mo’ed with singing, until Sh’lomo had built the Beis Hashem in Yerushalayim, and then they performed their avodas [kodesh service] according to their mishpatim (regulations).

^33 (6:18) And these are they that stood [ministering] with their banim. Of the Bnei Kehati; Heman the meshorer (singer) Ben Yoel Ben Shemuel,

^34 (6:19) Ben Elkanah Ben Yerocham Ben Eliel Ben Toach,

^35 (6:20) Ben Tzuph Ben Elkanah Ben Machat Ben Amasai,

^36 (6:21) Ben Elkanah Ben Yoel Ben Azaryah Ben Tzephanyah,

^37 (6:22) Ben Tachat Ben Assir Ben Evyasaph Ben Korach,

^38 (6:23) Ben Yitzhar Ben Kehat Ben Levi Ben Yisroel.

^39 (6:24) And achiv Asaph, who stood at his right hand, even Asaph Ben Berechyah Ben Shimea,

^40 (6:25) Ben Micha’el Ben Ba’aseyah Ben Malkiyah,

^41 (6:26) Ben Etni Ben Zerach Ben Adayah,

^42 (6:27) Ben Eitan Ben Zimmah Ben Shimei,

^43 (6:28) Ben Yachat Ben Gershom Ben Levi.

^44 (6:29) And their achim the Bnei Merari stood on the left hand; Eitan Ben Kishi Ben Avdi Ben Maluch,

^45 (6:30) Ben Chashavyah Ben Amatzyah Ben Chilkiyah,

^46 (6:31) Ben Amtzi Ben Bani Ben Shemer,

^47 (6:32) Ben Machli Ben Mushi Ben Merari Ben Levi.

^48 (6:33) Their achim also the Levi’im were appointed unto all the avodas Mishkan Beis HaElohim.

^49 (6:34) But Aharon and his banim presented the offerings upon the Mizbe’ach HaOlah and on the Mizbe’ach HaKetoret, and were appointed for all the work of the Kodesh HaKodashim, and to make kapporah for Yisroel, according to all that Moshe eved HaElohim had commanded.

^50 (6:35) And these are the Bnei Aharon; Eleazar bno, Pinchas bno, Avishua bno,

^51 (6:36) Bukki bno, Uzzi bno, Zerachyah bno,

^52 (6:37) Merayot bno, Amaryah bno, Achituv bno,

^53 (6:38) Tzadok bno, Achima’atz bno.

^54 (6:39) Now these are their moshevot throughout their assigned territories, of the Bnei Aharon, of the mishpekhot of the Kehati, for the goral (lot) fell upon them.

^55 (6:40) And they gave them Chevron in Eretz Yehudah, and the migrashim thereof all around it.

^56 (6:41) The sadeh of the Ir, and the villages thereof, they gave to Kalev Ben Yephunneh.

^57 (6:42) And to the Bnei Aharon they gave the cities of refuge, namely, Chevron, and Livnah with her migrashim, and Yatir, and Eshtemoa, with her migrashim,

^58 (6:43) Chilez with her migrashim, Devir with hers,

^59 (6:44) And Ashan with her migrashim, and Beit Shemesh with her migrashim;

^60 (6:45) And out of the tribe of Binyamin; Geva with her migrashim, and Alemet with her migrashim, and Anatot with her migrashim. All their towns throughout their mishpekhot were 13 towns.

^61 (6:46) And unto the Bnei Kehat, which were left of the mishpakhat of that tribe, were towns given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Menasheh, by goral, ten towns.

^62 (6:47) And to the Bnei Gershom throughout their mishpekhot out of the tribe of Yissakhar, out of that of Asher, out of that of Naphtali, out of the tribe of Menasheh in Bashan, 13 towns.

^63 (6:48) Unto the Bnei Merari were given by goral, throughout their mishpekhot, out of the tribe of Reuven, and out of that of Gad, and out of that of Zevulun, 12 towns.

^64 (6:49) And the Bnei Yisroel gave to the Levi’im these towns with their migrashim.

^65 (6:50) And they gave by goral out of the tribe of the Bnei Yehudah, and out of the tribe of the Bnei Shim’on, and out of the tribe of the Bnei Binyamin, these towns, which are called by their shmot.

^66 (6:51) For some of the mishpekhot of the Bnei Kehat had towns of their territories out of the tribe of Ephrayim.

^67 (6:52) They gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in Har Ephrayim with her migrashim; they gave Gezer with her migrashim,

^68 (6:53) And Yokmeam with her migrashim, and Beit Choron with her migrashim,

^69 (6:54) And Ayalon with her migrashim, and Gat Rimmon with her migrashim;

^70 (6:55) And out of the half tribe of Menasheh; Aner with her migrashim, and Bileam with her migrashim, for the mishpakhat of the rest of the Bnei Kehat.

^71 (6:56) Unto the Bnei Gershom were given out of the mishpakhat of the half tribe of Menasheh Golan in Bashan with her migrashim, and Ashtarot with her migrashim;

^72 (6:57) And out of the tribe of Yissakhar; Kedesh with her migrashim, Davrat with her migrashim,

^73 (6:58) And Ramot with her migrashim, and Anem with her migrashim;

^74 (6:59) And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her migrashim, and Avdon with her migrashim,

^75 (6:60) And Chukok with her migrashim, and Rechov with her migrashim;

^76 (6:61) And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galil (Galilee) with her migrashim, and Chammon with her migrashim, and Kiryatayim with her migrashim.

^77 (6:62) Unto the rest of the Bnei Merari were given out of the tribe of Zevulun, Rimmono with her migrashim, Tavor with her migrashim.

^78 (6:63) And on the other side of the Yarden by Yericho, on the east side of Yarden, were given them out of the tribe of Reuven, Betzer in the midbar with her migrashim, and Yachtzah with her migrashim,

^79 (6:64) Kedemot also with her migrashim, and Mepha’at with her migrashim;

^80 (6:65) And out of the tribe of Gad: Ramot in Gil’ad with her migrashim, and Machanayim with her migrashim,

^81 (6:66) And Cheshbon with her migrashim, and Ya’zer with her migrashim.

7 Now the Bnei Yissakhar were Tola, Pu’ah, Yashuv, Shimrom, 4.

² And the Bnei Tola: Uzzi, Refayah, Yeriel, Yachmai, Yivsam, and Shmuel, heads of their bais avot, namely, of Tola; they were gibborei chayil (warriors of valor) in their toldot (generations), whose number was in the days of Dovid 22,600.

³ And the Bnei Uzzi: Yizrachyah; and the Bnei Yizrachyah: Micha’el, and Ovadyah, and Yoel, Yishiyah, 5, all of them rashim (leaders).

⁴ And with them, by their toldot, after their bais avot, were bands of soldiers for milchamah, 36,000, for they had many nashim and banim.

⁵ And their brethren among all the mishpekhot of Yissakhar were gibborei chayil, reckoned in all by their genealogies 87,000.

⁶ The Bnei Binyamin: Bela, and Becher, and Yedia’el, 3.

⁷ And the Bnei Bela: Etzbon, and Uzzi, and Uzzi’el, and Yerimot, and Iri, 5; heads of their bais avot, gibborei chayalim (warriors of valor); and were reckoned by their genealogies 22,034.

⁸ And the Bnei Becher: Zemira, and Yoash, and Eliezer, and Elyo’enai, and Omri, and Yerimot, and Aviyah, and Anatot, and Alemet. All these are the Bnei Becher.

⁹ And the number of them, listed by their toldot, heads of their bais avot, gibborei chayil, was twenty elef and two hundred.

¹⁰ The Bnei Yedia’el: Bilhan; and the Bnei Bilhan; Yeush, and Binyamin, and Ehud, and Kena’anah, and Zetan, and Tarshish, and Achishachar.

¹¹ All these the Bnei Yedia’el, by the heads of families, gibborei chayalim, were seventeen elef and two hundred soldiers, fit to go forth for milchamah.

¹² Shuppim also, and Chuppim, the Bnei Ir, and Chushim, the Bnei Acher.

¹³ The Bnei Naphtali: Yachtziel, and Guni, and Yetzer, and Shallum, the Bnei Bilhah.

¹⁴ The Bnei Menasheh: Ashriel, whom his Aramean pilegesh bore; she bore Machir avi Gil’ad;

¹⁵ And Machir took an isha from the Chuppim and Shuppim, whose achot’s shem was Ma’achah; and the shem of the second was Tzelophechad, and Tzelophechad had banot.

¹⁶ And Ma’achah eshet Machir bore ben, and she called shmo Peresh; and the shem of his brother was Sheresh; and his banim were Ulam and Rakem.

¹⁷ And the Bnei Ulam: Bedan. These were the Bnei Gil’ad Ben Machir Ben Menasheh.

¹⁸ And his achot Hammolekhet bore Ishhod, and Aviezer, and Machlah.

¹⁹ And the Bnei Shemidah were Achyan, and Shechem, and Likchi, and Ani’am.

²⁰ And the Bnei Ephrayim: Shutalach, and Bered bno, and Tachat bno, and Eladah bno, and Tachat bno,

²¹ And Zavad bno, and Shutalach bno, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the anashim of Gat that were born in that land slaughtered, because they came down to take away their mikneh (livestock).

²² And Ephrayim avihem mourned many days, and his achim came to comfort him.

²³ And when he went in to his isha, she conceived, and bore ben, and he called shmo Beri’ah, because it went in ra’ah (evil, disaster, misfortune) with his bais.

²⁴ (And his bat was She’erah, who built Lower Beit-Choron, and the Upper, and Uzzen She’erah.)

²⁵ And Refach was bno, also Resheph, and Telach bno, and Tachan bno,

²⁶ La’adan bno, Ammihud bno, Elishama bno,

²⁷ Non (Nun) bno, Yehoshuah bno.

²⁸ And their possessions and settlements were Beit-El and the villages thereof, and to the east Na’aran, and to the west Gezer, with the villages thereof; Shechem also and the villages thereof, unto Ayyah and the villages thereof;

²⁹ And by the borders of the Bnei Menasheh, Beit-She’an and her villages, Taanach and her villages, Megiddo and her villages, Dor and her villages. In these dwelt the Bnei Yosef Ben Yisroel.

³⁰ The Bnei Asher: Yimnah, and Yishvah, and Yishvi, and Beri’ah, and Serach their achot.

³¹ And the Bnei Beriah: Chever, and Malki’el, who is avi Birzavit.

³² And Chever fathered Yaphlet, Shomer, Chotam, and Shu’a their achot.

³³ And the Bnei Yaphlet: Pasach, Bimhal, Ashvat. These are the Bnei Yaphlet.

³⁴ And the Bnei Shemer: Achi, Rohgah, Chubbah, and Aram.

³⁵ And the Ben Helem his brother: Tzophach, Yimna, Shelesh, and Amal.

³⁶ The Bnei Tzophach: Suach, Charnepher, Shu’al, Beri, and Yimrah,

³⁷ Betzer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Yitran, and Be’era.

³⁸ And the Bnei Yeter: Yephunneh, Pispah, Ara.

³⁹ And the Bnei Ulla: Arach, Channiel, Ritzyah.

⁴⁰ All these were the Bnei Asher, heads of their bais avot, choice gibborim chayalim, outstanding of the nasi’im. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were battle-ready was twenty and six elef anashim.

8 Now Binyamin fathered Bela his bechor, Ashbel the second, and Achrach the third,

² Nochah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.

³ And the Bnei Bela were Addar, Gera, Avihud,

⁴ Avishua, Na’aman, and Achoach,

⁵ Gera, Shephuphan, and Churam.

⁶ And these are the Bnei Echud: these are the rashei avot of the inhabitants of Geva, and they drove them out to Manachat;

⁷ And Na’aman, and Achiyah, and Gera drove them out, and fathered Uzza, and Achichud.

⁸ And Shacharayim fathered banim in the country of Moav, after he had sent them away: Chushim and Ba’ara were his nashim.

⁹ And he fathered of Chodesh his isha, Yovav, Tzivya, Mesha, and Malkam,

¹⁰ And Yeutz, Sochya, Mirmah. These were his banim, rashei avot.

¹¹ And of Chushim he fathered Avituv, and Elpa’al.

¹² The Bnei Elpaal: Ever, Misham, Shemed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the villages thereof;

¹³ Beriah also, and Shema, who were rashei avot of the inhabitants of Ayalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gat;

¹⁴ And Achyo, Shashak, and Yeremot,

¹⁵ Zevadyah, Arad, Eder,

¹⁶ Micha’el, Yishpah, and Yocha, the Bnei Beri’ah;

¹⁷ And Zevadyah, and Meshullam, and Chizki, and Chever,

¹⁸ Yishmerai also, and Yizli’ah, and Yovav, the Bnei Elpa’al;

¹⁹ Yakim, Zichri, Zavdi,

²⁰ Elienai, Tziltai, Eli’el,

²¹ Adayah, Berayah, and Shimrat, the Bnei Shimei;

²² Yishpan, Ever, Eli’el,

²³ Avdon, Zichri, Chanan,

²⁴ Chananyah, Eilam, and Antotyah,

²⁵ Yiphdeyah, and Penuel, the Bnei Shashak;

²⁶ And Shamsherai, and Shecharyah, and Atalyah,

²⁷ And Ya’areshyah, and Eliyah, and Zichri, the Bnei Yerocham.

²⁸ These were rashei avot, by their toldot, leaders. These dwelt in Yerushalayim.

²⁹ And at Giveon dwelt avi Giveon, shem of his isha: Ma’achah;

³⁰ And his bechor was Avdon, and Tzur, and Kish, and Ba’al, and Nadav,

³¹ And Gedor, and Achyo, and Zecher.

³² And Miklot fathered Shime’ah. And these also dwelt near their achim in Yerushalayim with their achim.

³³ And Ner fathered Kish, and Kish fathered Sha’ul, and Sha’ul fathered Yonatan, and Malki-Shua, and Avinadav, and Eshba’al.

³⁴ And the Ben Yonatan was Meriv Ba’al; and Meriv Ba’al fathered Michah.

³⁵ And the Bnei Michah were Piton, and Melech, and Tarea, and Achaz.

³⁶ And Achaz fathered Yehoadah; and Yehoadah fathered Alemet, Azmavet, and Zimri; and Zimri fathered Motza,

³⁷ And Motza fathered Binea; Rapha bno, Eleasah bno, Atzel bno.

³⁸ And Atzel had six banim, whose shmot are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, and Yishma’el, and She’aryah, and Ovadyah, and Chanan. All these were the Bnei Atzel.

³⁹ And the Bnei Eshek his brother were Ulam his bechor, Ye’ush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

⁴⁰ And the Bnei Ulam were anashim gibbrei chayil, archers, and had many banim, and bnei banim, a hundred and fifty. All these are of the Bnei Binyamin.

9 So kol Yisroel were reckoned by genealogies; and, hinei, they were recorded and written down in the sefer of the melachim of Yisroel and Yehudah, who were carried away into the Golus to Bavel for their unfaithfulness.

² Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their towns were Yisroel, the kohanim, Levi’im, and the Netinim [i.e., Temple servants].

³ And in Yerushalayim dwelt of the Bnei Yehudah, and of the Bnei Binyamin, and of the Bnei Ephrayim, and Menasheh:

⁴ Utai Ben Ammihud Ben Omri Ben Imri Ben Banimin, of the Bnei Peretz Ben Yehudah.

⁵ And of the Shiloni: Asayah the bechor, and his banim.

⁶ The Bnei Zerach: Yeu’el and their brethren, 690.

⁷ And of the Bnei Binyamin: Sallu Ben Meshullam Ben Hodavyah Ben Hasenuah,

⁸ And Yivneyah Ben Yerocham, and Elah Ben Uzzi Ben Michri and Meshullam Ben Shephatyah Ben Reuel Ben Yivniyah;

⁹ And their brethren, according to their toldot, 956. All these anashim were rashei avot in the bais avoteihem.

¹⁰ And of the kohanim; Yedayah, and Yehoyariv, and Yachin,

¹¹ And Azaryah Ben Chilkiyah Ben Meshullam Ben Tzadok Ben Merayot Ben Achituv, the nagid of the Bais HaElohim;

¹² And Adayah Ben Yerocham Ben Pashchur Ben Malkiyah, and Ma’asai Ben Adiel Ben Yachzerah, Ben Meshullam Ben Meshilmit Ben Immer;

¹³ And their brethren, heads of their bais avot, 1,760; gibborei chayil for the work of the avodas Bais HaElohim.

¹⁴ And of the Levi’im: Shema’yah Ben Chashshuv Ben Azrikam Ben Chashavyah of the Bnei Merari;

¹⁵ And Bakbakkar, Cheresh, Galal, and Matanyah Ben Michah Ben Zichri Ben Asaph;

¹⁶ And Ovadyah Ben Shema’yah Ben Galal Ben Yedutun, and Berechyah Ben Asa Ben Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophati.

¹⁷ And the sho’arim were Shallum, Akkuv, Talmon, Achiman, and their brethren; Shallum was HaRosh,

¹⁸ Who up to now had been stationed at Sha’ar HaMelech eastward; they were sho’arim in the machanot Bnei Levi.

¹⁹ And Shallum Ben Kore Ben Evyasaph Ben Korach and his brethren of the bais aviv, the Korechim, were over the work of the avodah, shomrei hasapim laOhel (keepers of the thresholds of the Tent [of Meeting]); and avoteihem, being over the Machaneh Hashem, were shomrim of the entrance.

²⁰ And Pinchas Ben Eleazar was nagid over them in time past, and Hashem was with him.

²¹ And Zecharyah Ben Meshelemyah was sho’er (doorkeeper, gatekeeper) of the Petach of the Ohel Mo’ed.

²² All these which were haberurim (the ones being chosen) to be sho’arim (gatekeepers) in the sapim (thresholds) were 212. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom Dovid and Shmuel the Ro’eh (seer) did assign in their emunah (set office, entrusted responsibility).

²³ So they and their banim had the oversight of the she’arim (gates) of the Beis Hashem, namely, the Beis HaOhel, by mishmarot (shifts, watches).

²⁴ In four quarters were the sho’arim, toward the east, west, north, and south.

²⁵ And their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after shivat hayamim from time to time with them.

²⁶ For these Levi’im, the four gibborei hasho’arim, were in their emunah (set office, entrusted responsibility), and were over the rooms and otzarot (treasuries) of the Bais HaElohim.

²⁷ And they spent the night around the Bais HaElohim, because the mishmeret was upon them; they were responsible for the mafte’ach (key) thereof laboker laboker.

²⁸ And certain of them had the charge of the kelim (vessels) of the avodah (service, ministry), that they should bring them in and out by inventory count.

²⁹ Some of them also were appointed to oversee the kelim (vessels), and all the k’lei haKodesh, and the solet (flour), and the yayin, and the shemen, and the incense, and the spices.

³⁰ And some of the Bnei HaKohanim mixed the blending of the spices [of the shemen mishchat kodesh, holy anointing oil].

³¹ And Mattityah, one of the Levi’im, who was the bechor of Shallum the Korechi, had the emunah (set office, entrusted responsibility) over the things that were made in hachavitim (panbaking [offerings]).

³² And other of their brethren, of the Bnei HaKehati, were over the Lechem HaMaarechet (Bread of Array, Showbread), to prepare it Shabbos Shabbos.

³³ And these are the meshorerim (singers), family heads of the Levi’im, who remained in the Peturim Chambers; for they were employed in that work yomam valailah.

³⁴ These family heads of the Levi’im were heads throughout their toldot; these dwelt at Yerushalayim.

³⁵ And in Giveon dwelt the avi Giveon, Yeiel, the shem of whose isha was Ma’achah,

³⁶ And his bechor Avdon, then Tzur, and Kish, and Ba’al, and Ner, and Nadav.

³⁷ And Gedor, and Achyo, and Zecharyah, and Miklot.

³⁸ And Miklot fathered Shimeam. And they also dwelt near their brethren at Yerushalayim with their brethren.

³⁹ And Ner fathered Kish; and Kish fathered Sha’ul; and Sha’ul fathered Yonatan, and Malki-Shua, and Avinadav, and Eshba’al.

⁴⁰ And the Ben Yonatan was Meriv-Ba’al; and Meriv-Ba’al fathered Michah.

⁴¹ And the Bnei Michah were Piton, and Melech, and Tachre’a.

⁴² And Achaz fathered Yarah; and Yarah fathered Alemet, and Azmavet, and Zimri; and Zimri fathered Motza;

⁴³ And Motza fathered Binea; and Refayah bno, Eleasah bno, Atzel bno.

⁴⁴ And Atzel had six banim, whose shmot are these; Azrikam, Bocheru, and Yishmael, and Shearyah, and Ovadyah, and Chanan; these were the Bnei Atzel.

10 Now the Pelishtim (Philistines) fought against Yisroel; and the men of Yisroel fled from before the Pelishtim, and fell down chalalim (slain ones) on Mt Gilboa.

² And the Pelishtim followed hard after Sha’ul, and after his banim; and the Pelishtim slaughtered Yonatan, and Avinadav, and Malki Shua, the Bnei Sha’ul.

³ And the milchamah became intense against Sha’ul, and the archers overtook him, and he was wounded by the archers.

⁴ Then said Sha’ul to his noseh keli (armor bearer), Draw thy cherev, and thrust me through therewith; lest these arelim (uncircumcised ones) come and abuse me. But his noseh keli would not; for he was very afraid. So Sha’ul took a cherev, and fell upon it.

⁵ And when his noseh keli saw that Sha’ul was dead, he fell likewise on the cherev, and died.

⁶ So Sha’ul died, and his shloshet banim, and all his Bais died together.

⁷ And when kol Ish Yisroel that were in the emek (valley) saw that they fled, and that Sha’ul and his banim were dead, then they abandoned their towns, and fled; and the Pelishtim came and took occupation of them.

⁸ And it came to pass on the next day, when the Pelishtim came to strip the chalalim, that they found Sha’ul and his banim fallen on Mt Gilboa.

⁹ And when they had stripped him, they took his rosh (head), and his keli (armor), and sent into eretz Pelishtim all around, to carry the news unto their atzabim, and to the people.

¹⁰ And they put his keli in the Bais eloheihem, and fastened his head in the Bais Dagon.

¹¹ And when kol Yavesh Gilead heard all that the Pelishtim had done to Sha’ul,

¹² They arose, kol ish chayil, and took the gufat Sha’ul (body of Sha’ul), and the gufot of his banim, and brought them to Yavesh, and buried their atzmot under the elah (oak tree) in Yavesh, and underwent a tzom shivat yamim.

¹³ So Sha’ul died for his ma’al (unfaithfulness) which he committed against Hashem, even against the Devar Hashem, over which he was not shomer, and also for consulting an ov (one with a familiar spirit) to seek guidance;

¹⁴ And inquired not of Hashem; therefore He slaughtered him, and turned over the kingdom unto Dovid Ben Yishai.

11 Then kol Yisroel gathered themselves to Dovid unto Chevron, saying, Hinei, we are thy etzem (bone) and thy basar.

² And moreover in time past, even when Sha’ul was melech, thou wast he that hamotzi (led out) and brought in Yisroel; and Hashem Eloheicha said unto thee, Thou shalt shepherd My people Yisroel, and thou shalt be Nagid over My people Yisroel.

³ Therefore came all the Ziknei Yisroel to HaMelech to Chevron; and Dovid cut a Brit with them in Chevron before Hashem; and vayimeshechu (they anointed) Dovid Melech over Yisroel, according to the Devar Hashem by Shmuel.

⁴ And Dovid and Kol Yisroel went to Yerushalayim, which is Yevus; where the Yevusi were, the inhabitants of ha’aretz.

⁵ And the inhabitants of Yevus said to Dovid, Thou shalt not come in here. Nevertheless Dovid took the Metzudat Tziyon, which is Ir Dovid.

⁶ And Dovid said, Whosoever attacketh the Yevusi barishonah shall be Rosh and Sar. So Yoav Ben Tzeruyah went up first, and became Rosh.

⁷ And Dovid dwelt in the Metzad; therefore they called it Ir Dovid.

⁸ And he built the Ir around it, even from the Millo to the surrounding area, and Yoav repaired the rest of the Ir.

⁹ So Dovid continued greater and greater, for Hashem Tzva’os was with him.

¹⁰ These also are the Roshei HaGibborim whom Dovid had, who strengthened themselves with him in his Malchut, and with all Yisroel, to make him Melech, according to the Devar Hashem concerning Yisroel.

¹¹ And this is the mispar (number) of the Gibborim whom Dovid had: Yashov’am, a ben Chachmoni, Rosh HaShaloshim: he lifted up his khanit against shlosh me’ot slain by him at one time.

¹² And after him was Eleazar Ben Dodo, the Achochi, who was one of the Shloshah HaGibborim.

¹³ He was with Dovid at Pas Dammim, and there the Pelishtim (Philistines) were gathered together to battle, where was chelekat hasadeh (a parcel of ground) full of se’orim (barley); and HaAm (the people, troops, army) fled from before the Pelishtim (Philistines).

¹⁴ And they set themselves in the midst of that chelekah (parcel), and delivered it, and slaughtered the Pelishtim (Philistines); vayosha Hashem (and Hashem saved) them by a teshu’ah gedolah (great deliverance).

¹⁵ Now three of the sheloshim rosh went down to the Tzur to Dovid, into the me’arah (cave) of Adulam; and the machaneh of the Pelishtim (Philistines) encamped in the Emek Rephaim.

¹⁶ And Dovid was then in the Metzudah, and the garrison of the Pelishtim was then at Beit-Lechem.

¹⁷ And Dovid had a [thirsty] longing, and said, Oh that one would draw for me drink of the mayim from the bor (well) of Beit-Lechem, that is at the sha’ar (gate)

¹⁸ And the Shlosha broke through the machaneh Pelishtim (Philistines), and drew mayim out of the bor Beit-Lechem, that was by the sha’ar, and took it, and brought it to Dovid; but Dovid would not drink of it, but poured it out [like a nesekh offering] to Hashem.

¹⁹ And said, Chalilah li meElohai (Elohai forbid it me), that I should do this thing. Shall I drink the dahm of these anashim at their nafshot? For at jeopardy of their nafshot they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these Shloshet HaGibborim.

²⁰ And Avishai the brother of Yoav, he was Rosh HaSheloshah; for lifting up his khanit against Shlosh Me’ot, he slaughtered them, and had a shem among the Shloshah.

²¹ Of the Shloshah, he was more honored than the two; for he was their Sar; howbeit he attained not to the [first] Shloshah [in comparison].

²² Benayah Ben Yehoyada, a valiant man of Kavtze’el, who had done many exploits; he slaughtered two lion-like men of Moav; also he went down and slaughtered an ari in a bor (pit) on a yom sheleg (snowy day).

²³ And he slaughtered the ish HaMitzri, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the yad HaMitzri was a khanit like a rod of an oreg (weaver); and he went down to him with a shevet (club), and plucked the khanit out of the yad HaMitzri, and slaughtered him with his own khanit.

²⁴ These things did Benayah Ben Yehoyada, and had the shem among the Shloshah HaGibborim.

²⁵ Behold, he was honored among the Shloshim, but attained not to the Shloshah; and Dovid set him over his mishma’at.

²⁶ Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asah-El the brother of Yoav, Elchanan Ben Dodo of Beit-Lechem,

²⁷ Shammot the Harori, Cheletz the Peloni,

²⁸ Ira Ben Ikkesh the Tekoi, Aviezer the Antoti,

²⁹ Sibchai the Chushati, Ilai the Achochi,

³⁰ Maharai the Netophati, Cheled Ben Ba’anah the Netophati,

³¹ Ithai Ben Rivai of Giveah, that pertained to the Bnei Binyamin, Benayah the Piratoni,

³² Churai of the brooks of Ga’ash, Aviel the Arvati,

³³ Azmavet the Bacharumi, Elyachba the Sha’alvoni,

³⁴ The Bnei Hashem the Gizoni, Yonatan Ben Shageh the Harari,

³⁵ Achiam Ben Sachar the Harari, Eliphal Ben Ur,

³⁶ Chepher the Mecherati, Achiyah the Peloni,

³⁷ Chetzro the Carmeli, Na’arai Ben Ezbai,

³⁸ Yoel the brother of Natan, Mivchar Ben Hagri,

³⁹ Tzelek the Ammoni, Naharai the Beroti, the armorbearer of Yoav ben Tzeruyah,

⁴⁰ Ira the Yitri, Garev the Yitri,

⁴¹ Uriyah the Chitti, Zavad Ben Achlai,

⁴² Adina Ben Shiza the Reuveni, a rosh of the Reubeni, and shloshim with him,

⁴³ Chanan Ben Ma’achah, and Yoshaphat the Mitni,

⁴⁴ Uzzia the Ashterati, Shama and [T.N. Dovid knew he did not come to be served but to serve cf 1Chr 11:19; Mk 10:45] Ye’iel the Bnei Chotam the Aroeri,

⁴⁵ Yedia’el Ben Shimri, and Yocha his brother, the Titzi,

⁴⁶ Eliel the Mahavi, Yerivai, Yoshavyah, the Bnei Elna’am, Yitmah the Moavi,

⁴⁷ Eliel, Oved, and Ya’asiel the Metzovayah.

12 Now these are they that came to Dovid to Tziklag, while he was still a fugitive because of Sha’ul Ben Kish; and they were among the gibborim, helpers in milchamah.

² They were armed with keshet (bow), and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting khitzim (arrows) from a keshet; they were kinsmen of Sha’ul, of Binyamin.

³ The head was Achiezer, then Yoash, the Bnei Shema’ah the Giveati; Yeziel, Pelet, the Bnei Azmavet; Berachah, and Yehu the Antoti.

^4 (5) And Yishmayah the Giveoni, a gibbor among the Shloshim (Thirty), and over the Shloshim; and Yirmeyah, Yachaziel, Yochanan, and Yozavad the Gederati,

^5 (6) Eluzai, Yerimot, Bealyah, Shemaryahu, and Shephatyahu the Charuphi,

^6 (7) Elkanah, Yishiyahu, Azare’el, Yoezer, and Yashov‘am, the Korchi,

^7 (8) And Yoelah, and Zevadyah, the Bnei Yerocham of Gedor.

^8 (9) And of the Gadi there separated themselves unto Dovid into the stronghold in the midbar gibborei hachayil (men of valor), and anshei tzavah (army men) for milchamah, that could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of aryeh, and were as swift as the gazelles upon the harim;

^9 (10) Ezer the head, Ovadyah the second, Eliav the third,

^10 (11) Mishmannah the fourth, Yirmeyah the fifth,

^11 (12) Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

^12 (13) Yochanan the eighth, Elzavad the ninth,

^13 (14) Yirmeyah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.

^14 (15) These were of the Bnei Gad, commanders of the tzava (army). One of the least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest to an elef.

^15 (16) These are they that went over Yarden in the first month, when it was overflowing all its banks; they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.

^16 (17) And there came of the Bnei Binyamin and Yehudah to the stronghold unto Dovid.

^17 (18) And Dovid went out before them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come in shalom unto me to help me, mine lev shall be united unto you, but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no chamas in mine hands, Elohei Avoteinu look thereon, and pass [His] judgment.

^18 (19) Then the Ruach [HaKodesh] came upon Amasai, who was head of the Thirty, and he said, Thine are we, Dovid, and on thy side, thou Ben Yishai. Shalom, shalom be unto thee, and shalom be to thine helpers; for Eloheicha helpeth thee. Then Dovid received them, and made them heads of the gedud (raiding band, troop).

^19 (20) And there defected some of Menasheh to Dovid, when he went with the Pelishtim (Philistines) against Sha’ul for milchamah, but they helped them [Pelishtim] not; for the rulers of the Pelishtim after etzah (counsel) sent him [Dovid] away, saying, He [Dovid] will defect to his adon Sha’ul to the jeopardy of our heads.

^20 (21) As he went to Tziklag, there defected to him those of Menasheh, Adnach, and Yozavad, and Yedia’el, and Micha’el, and Yozavad, and Elihu, and Tziltai, heads of the alafim that were of Menasheh.

^21 (22) And they helped Dovid against the gedud, for they were all gibborei chayil, and were sarim in the tzava (army).

^22 (23) For at that time day by day there came men to Dovid to help him, until it was a machaneh gadol, like the Machaneh Elohim.

^23 (24) And these are the numbers of the leaders that were ready-armed for the army, and came to Dovid to Chevron, to turn over the Malchut Sha’ul to him, according to the word of Hashem.

^24 (25) The Bnei Yehudah that bore shield and romach (spear) were six alafim and eight hundred, ready-armed for tzva.

^25 (26) Of the Bnei Shim’on, gibborei chayil for tzava, shivat alafim and one hundred.

^26 (27) Of the Bnei Levi four alafim and six hundred.

^27 (28) And Yehoyada was the nagid of those of Aharon, and with him were three alafim and sheva hundred;

^28 (29) And Tzadok, a na’ar gibbor chayil, and of bais aviv twenty and two sarim.

^29 (30) And of the Bnei Binyamin, the kindred of Sha’ul, three alafim; for up until then the greatest part of them had kept shomrim mishmeret Bais Sha’ul (guarded loyalty to the House of Sha’ul).

^30 (31) And of the Bnei Ephrayim twenty elef and eight hundred, gibborei chayil, famous throughout the bais of their avot.

^31 (32) And of the half tribe of Menasheh eighteen elef, which were designated by shmot, to come and make Dovid Melech.

^32 (33) And of the Bnei Yissakhar, which were men that had binah (understanding) of the times, to know what Yisroel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were under their commandment.

^33 (34) Of Zevulun, such as went forth to tzava (military service), expert in milchamah, with all instruments of milchamah, fifty elef, which could keep rank; they were not of double heart.

^34 (35) And of Naphtali elef sarim, and with them with shield and khanit (spear) thirty and shivah elef.

^35 (36) And of the Dani expert in milchamah twenty and eight elef and six hundred.

^36 (37) And of Asher, such as went forth to tzava (military service), expert in milchamah, forty elef.

^37 (38) And on the other side of Yarden, of the Reuveni, and the Gadi, and of the half shevet (tribe) of Menasheh, with all manner of instruments of tzava for the milchamah, a hundred and twenty elef.

^38 (39) All these anshei milchamah, that could keep rank, came with a levav shalem to Chevron, to make Dovid Melech over kol Yisroel; and all the rest also of Yisroel were of lev echad to make Dovid Melech.

^39 (40) And there they were with Dovid yamim shloshah, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them.

^40 (41) Moreover they that were kerovim (near ones, neighbors) to them, even unto Yissakhar and Zevulun and Naphtali, brought lechem on chamorim, and on gemalim (camels), and on peradim, and on bakar, and food of kemach (flour), cakes of figs, and raisin cakes, and yayin, and shemen, and bakar, and tzon abundantly; for there was simchah in Yisroel.

13 And Dovid consulted with the sarei ha’alafim and me’ot, and with every nagid.

² And Dovid said unto kol Kehal Yisroel, If it seem tov unto you, and that it be of Hashem Eloheinu, let us send out everywhere unto acheinu (our brethren), that remain in kol Aratzot Yisroel, and with them also to the Kohanim and Levi’im which are in their towns and migroshot (adjacent open lands), that they may gather themselves unto us;

³ And let us bring back the Aron Eloheinu to us, for we inquired not of him in the yamim of Sha’ul.

⁴ And kol HaKahal said that they would do so, for the thing was yashar in the eyes of kol HaAm.

⁵ So Dovid assembled kol Yisroel together, from Shichor in Mitzrayim even unto the entrance of Chamat, to bring the Aron HaElohim from Kiryat Ye’arim.

⁶ And Dovid went up, and kol Yisroel, to Ba’alah, that is, to Kiryat Ye’arim, which belonged to Yehudah, to bring up from there the Aron HaElohim Hashem, that is enthroned upon the keruvim, that is called by [His] Shem.

⁷ And they moved the Aron HaElohim on an agalah chadashah from the bais Avinadav, and Uzza and Achyo guided the agalah.

⁸ And Dovid and Kol Yisroel rejoiced before HaElohim with kol oz and with shirim (songs), and with kinnorot (harps), and with nevalim (lyres), and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with chatzotzerot (trumpets).

⁹ And when they came unto the goren Kidon, Uzza reached his yad to steady the Aron; for the ox tilted it.

¹⁰ And the Af Hashem was kindled against Uzza, and He struck him down, because he put his yad to the Aron, and there he died before Elohim.

¹¹ And Dovid burned with anger, because Hashem had made a peretz (outburst), breaking out upon Uzza, wherefore that makom is called Peretz-Uzzah to this day.

¹² And Dovid was afraid of HaElohim that day, saying, How shall I bring the Aron HaElohim to me?

¹³ So Dovid brought not the Aron to himself to Ir Dovid, but took it aside into the bais Oved-Edom the Gitti.

¹⁴ And the Aron HaElohim remained with the Bais Oved-Edom in his bais three months. And Hashem made a brocha upon the Bais Oved-Edom, and all that he had. [T.N. When translating the OJB our team of proofreaders discovered the truth of this verse, 1Chr 13:14]

14 Now Churam Melech Tzor sent malachim to Dovid, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him a bais (palace).

² And Dovid perceived that Hashem had established him Melech over Yisroel, for his malchut was lifted up on high, for the sake of His people Yisroel.

³ And Dovid took more nashim at Yerushalayim; and Dovid fathered more banim and banot.

⁴ Now these are the shmot of his banim which were born in Yerushalayim: Shammua, and Shovav, Natan, and Sh’lomo,

⁵ And Yivchar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,

⁶ And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Yaphia,

⁷ And Elishama, and Be’elyada, and Eliphalet.

⁸ And when the Pelishtim (Philistines) heard that Dovid nimshach (was anointed) Melech over kol Yisroel, all the Pelishtim went up to search for Dovid. Dovid heard of it, and went out against them.

⁹ And the Pelishtim (Philistines) came and spread out in the Emek Rephaim.

¹⁰ And Dovid inquired of Elohim, saying, Shall I go up against the Pelishtim? And wilt Thou deliver them into mine yad? And Hashem said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine yad.

¹¹ So they came up to Ba’al-Peratzim; and Dovid defeated them there. Then Dovid said, Elohim hath broken out upon mine oyevim by mine yad like the peretz mayim (breaking forth of waters); therefore they called the shem of that makom Ba’al-Peratzim.

¹² And when they [the Pelishtim] had abandoned their elohim there, Dovid gave a commandment, and they were burned with eish.

¹³ And the Pelishtim (Philistines) yet again spread out in the emek (valley).

¹⁴ Therefore Dovid inquired again of Elohim, and Elohim said unto him, Go not up after them; circle around upon them, and come upon them opposite the mulberry trees.

¹⁵ And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to milchamah; for HaElohim is gone forth before thee to strike the machaneh Pelishtim.

¹⁶ Dovid therefore did as Elohim commanded him, and they struck down the machaneh Pelishtim from Giveon even to Gezer.

¹⁷ And the shem (fame) of Dovid went out into all lands; and Hashem brought the pachad (terror) of him upon kol HaGoyim.

15 And Dovid made him batim (buildings) in Ir Dovid, and prepared a makom for Aron HaElohim, and pitched for it an ohel.

² Then Dovid said, None may carry Aron HaElohim but the Levi’im; for them hath Hashem bachar (chosen) to carry the Aron HaElohim, and to minister unto Him ad olam.

³ And Dovid assembled kol Yisroel together at Yerushalayim, to bring up Aron Hashem unto his makom (place, home) which he had prepared for it.

⁴ And Dovid assembled the Bnei Aharon, and the Levi’im;

⁵ Of the Bnei Kehat; Uriel the sar, and his brethren a 120;

⁶ Of the Bnei Merari; Asayah the sar, and his brethren 220;

⁷ Of the Bnei Gershom; Yoel the sar and his brethren 130;

⁸ Of the Bnei Elitzaphan; Shema’yah the sar, and his brethren 200;

⁹ Of the Bnei Chevron; Eliel the sar, and his brethren 80;

¹⁰ Of the Bnei Uzziel; Amminadav the sar, and his brethren 112.

¹¹ And Dovid summoned Tzadok and Evyatar (Abiathar) the Kohanim, as well as the Levi’im, for Uriel, Asayah, and Yoel, Shema’yah, and Eliel, and Amminadav,

¹² And said unto them, Ye are the rashei ha’avot of the Levi’im; set yourselves apart as kodesh, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up Aron Hashem Elohei Yisroel unto the place that I have prepared for it.

¹³ For because ye did it not at the first, Hashem Eloheinu broke out upon us, for that we inquired of Him not according to the mishpat (due order, ordinance).

¹⁴ So the Kohanim and the Levi’im set themselves apart as kodesh to bring up Aron Hashem Elohei Yisroel.

¹⁵ And the Bnei HaLevi’im bore the Aron HaElohim upon their shoulders with the motot (poles) thereon, as Moshe commanded according to the Devar Hashem.

¹⁶ And Dovid spoke to the Sarei HaLevi’im to appoint their brethren to be the meshorerim (singers) with instruments of music, nevalim (lyres) and kinnorot (harps) and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with simchah.

¹⁷ So the Levi’im appointed Heman Ben Yoel; and of his brethren, Asaph Ben Berechyahu; and of the Bnei Merari their brethren, Eitan Ben Kushayahu;

¹⁸ And with them their brethren of the next rank, Zecharyah, Ben, and Ya’aziel, and Shemiramot, and Yechiel, and Unni, Eliav, and Benayahu, and Ma’aseiyahu, and Mattityahu, and Eliph’lehu, and Mikneyahu, and Oved Edom, and Ye’i’el, the sho’arim (gatekeepers).

¹⁹ So the meshorerim (singers), Heman, Asaph, and Eitan, sounded the cymbals of nechoshet;

²⁰ And Zecharyah, and Aziel, and Shemiramot, and Yechiel, and Unni, and Eliav, and Ma’aseiyahu, and Benayahu, with nevalim (lyres) al-alamot (after the manner of virgins, i.e., in the treble—see Ps 46:1);

²¹ And Mattityahu, and Eliph’lehu, and Mikneyahu, and Oved Edom, and Ye’i’el, and Azazyahu, with kinnorot (harps) al-HaSheminit to direct.

²² And Kenanyahu, sar HaLevi’im, was for singing; he directed the song, because of his understanding.

²³ And Berechyah and Elkanah were shoarim (doorkeepers) for the Aron.

²⁴ And Shevanyahu, and Yehoshaphat, and Netanel, and Amasai, and Zecharyah, and Benayahu, and Eliezer, the Kohanim, did blow the trumpets before the Aron HaElohim; and Oved Edom and Yechiyah were shoarim (doorkeepers) for the Aron.

²⁵ So Dovid, and the Ziknei Yisroel, and the sarim over alafim, went to bring up Aron Brit Hashem out of the Bais Oved Edom with simchah.

²⁶ And it came to pass, when HaElohim helped the Levi’im that bore the Aron Brit Hashem, that they offered in sacrifice shivah bulls and shivah rams.

²⁷ And Dovid was clothed with a me’il butz (fine linen robe), and all the Levi’im that bore the Aron, and the meshorerim (singers); and Kenanyah the master of the song with the meshorerim; Dovid also had upon him a linen ephod [see Psalm 110:4].

²⁸ Thus kol Yisroel brought up the Aron Brit Hashem with shouting, and with sound of the shofar, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding nevalim (lyres) and kinnorot (harps).

²⁹ And it came to pass, as the Aron Brit Hashem came to Ir Dovid, that Michal Bat Sha’ul, looking out at the chalon, saw Dovid HaMelech dancing and whirling. And she despised him in her lev.

16 So they brought the Aron HaElohim, and set it inside the Ohel that Dovid had pitched for it; and they offered olot (burnt sacrifices) and shelamim before HaElohim.

² And when Dovid had made an end of offering the olot and the shelamim, he blessed HaAm b’Shem Hashem.

³ And he apportioned to kol Ish Yisroel, both ish and isha, to every one a kikar lechem, and a good piece of meat, and a raisin cake.

⁴ And he appointed certain of the Levi’im as mesharetim (ministers) before the Aron Hashem, and to remember, and to thank and to praise Hashem Elohei Yisroel;

⁵ Asaph HaRosh, and mishneh to him Zecharyah, Ye’i’el, and Shemiramot, and Yechiel, and Mattityah, and Eliav, and Benayah, and Oved-Edom; and Ye’i’el with instruments of nevalim (lyres) and with kinnorot; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;

⁶ Benayah also and Yachziel the Kohanim with chatzotzerot (trumpets) tamid (continually) before the Aron Brit HaElohim.

⁷ Then on that day Dovid first committed the giving of thanks unto Hashem into the yad Asaph and his achim.

⁸ Give thanks unto Hashem, call upon Shmo, make known His deeds among the nations.

⁹ Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him, tell ye of all His nifle’ot (wondrous deeds).

¹⁰ Glory ye in Shem Kadesho; let the lev of them rejoice that seek Hashem.

¹¹ Seek Hashem and His oz, seek His face tamid.

¹² Remember His nifle’ot that He hath done, His mofetim, and the mishpatim of His mouth;

¹³ O ye zera Yisroel His eved, ye Bnei Ya’akov, His chosen ones.

¹⁴ He is Hashem Eloheinu; His mishpatim are in kol ha’aretz.

¹⁵ Be ye mindful l’olam of His Brit; the davar which He commanded to an elef dor;

¹⁶ Even of the Brit which He cut with Avraham, and of His shevu’a (oath) unto Yitzchak;

¹⁷ And hath confirmed the same to Ya’akov for a chok (decree), and to Yisroel for a Brit Olam,

¹⁸ Saying, Unto thee will I give Eretz Kena’an, the chevel (portion), the lot of your nachalah

¹⁹ When ye were but few, even a few, and gerim in it.

²⁰ And when they went from goy (nation) to goy, and from one mamlachah to an Am acher (another people),

²¹ He permitted no ish to oppress them; he reproved melachim for their sakes,

²² Saying, Touch not Mine anointed ones, and do My nevi’im no harm.

²³ Sing unto Hashem, kol ha’aretz; show forth from day to day His Yeshuah (salvation).

²⁴ Declare His kavod among the Goyim; His nifle’ot among kol haAmim.

²⁵ For gadol is Hashem, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above kol elohim.

²⁶ For kol elohei haAmim are elilim, but Hashem made Shomayim.

²⁷ Hod and Hadar are in His presence; oz and chedvah (joy) are in His makom (place, home, dwelling).

²⁸ Ascribe unto Hashem, ye mishpechot Amim, ascribe unto Hashem Kavod and oz.

²⁹ Ascribe unto Hashem the kavod due unto Shmo; bring a minchah, and come before Him; worship Hashem in the hadar (splendor) of kodesh (holiness).

³⁰ Fear before Him, kol ha’aretz; the tevel (world) also shall be firmly established, that it be not moved.

³¹ Let HaShomayim have simcha, and let ha’aretz rejoice; and let them say among the Goyim, Hashem reigneth.

³² Let the yam roar, and the fulness thereof; let the sadeh rejoice, and all that is therein.

³³ Then shall the trees of the ya’ar (forest, woods) sing out before Hashem, because He cometh to judge ha’aretz.

³⁴ O give thanks unto Hashem, for He is tov; for His chesed endureth l’olam.

³⁵ And say ye, Hosheini, Elohei Yisheinu (G-d of our salvation), and gather us together, and deliver us from the Goyim, that we may give thanks to Shem Kadshecha, and glory in Thy tehillah (praise).

³⁶ Baruch Hashem Elohei Yisroel min HaOlam v’ad HaOlam. And kol HaAm said, Omein, and praised Hashem.

³⁷ So he left there before the Aron Brit Hashem Asaph and his achim, to minister before the Aron tamid (continually), accordingly yom by its yom;

³⁸ And Oved-Edom with their achim, threescore and eight; Oved-Edom Ben Yeditun and Chosah as Shoarim (gatekeepers);

³⁹ And Tzadok HaKohen, and his achim the Kohanim, before the Mishkan Hashem in the bamah (high place) that was at Giveon,

⁴⁰ To offer olot (burnt offerings) unto Hashem upon the Mizbe’ach HaOlah tamid (continually) boker and erev, and to do according to all that is written in the Torat Hashem, which He commanded Yisroel;

⁴¹ And with them Heman and Yedutun, and the rest that were the Chosen ones, who were designated by shemot, to give thanksgiving to Hashem, ki l’olam chasdo.

⁴² And with them Heman and Yedutun with Chatzotzerot (trumpets) and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with klei Shir HaElohim (musical instruments of G-d). And the Bnei Yedutun were at the Sha’ar (gate).

⁴³ And kol haAm departed every ish to his bais; and Dovid returned to bless his bais.

17 Now it came to pass, as Dovid sat in his bais, that Dovid said to Natan HaNavi, Hinei, I dwell in a bais ha’arazim (a palace of cedars) but the Aron Brit Hashem [dwelleth] under tent curtains.

² Then Natan said to Dovid, Do all that is in thine levav; for HaElohim is with thee.

³ And it came to pass the same lailah, that the Devar Elohim came to Natan, saying,

⁴ Go and tell Dovid Avdi, Thus saith Hashem, Thou shalt not build Me HaBayit to dwell in,

⁵ For I have not dwelt in a Bayit since the day that I brought up Yisroel until this day, but have gone from ohel to ohel, and from one mishkan to another.

⁶ Wheresoever I have walked with kol Yisroel, spoke I a word to any of the Shofetim of Yisroel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, Why have ye not built me a Bais Arazim?

⁷ Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto Avdi Dovid, Thus saith Hashem Tzva’os, I took thee from the naveh, even from following the tzon, that thou shouldest be Nagid over My people Yisroel;

⁸ And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine oyevim from before thee, and have made thee a shem like the shem of the gedolim that are in ha’aretz.

⁹ Also I will ordain a makom for My people Yisroel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the bnei avel oppress them any more, as they did at the beginning,

¹⁰ And since the time that I commanded Shofetim to be over My people Yisroel. Moreover I will subdue all thine oyevim. Furthermore I tell thee that Hashem will build thee a Bais (House, Dynasty).

¹¹ And it shall come to pass, when thy yamim are expired that thou must go to be with Avoteicha, that I will raise up thy zera after thee, which shall be of thy banim; and I will establish his Malchut ([Messianic] Kingdom).

¹² He shall build for Me a Bais, and I will establish his kisse ad olam.

¹³ I will be his Av, and he shall be My Ben [HaElohim]; and I will not take My chesed away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee,

¹⁴ But I will set him in Mine Bais and in My Malchut ad olam, and his kisse shall be established ad olam.

¹⁵ According to all these devarim, and according to all this chazon (revelation), so did Natan speak unto Dovid.

¹⁶ And Dovid HaMelech came and sat before Hashem, and said, Who am I, Hashem Elohim, and what is mine bais, that Thou hast brought me hitherto?

¹⁷ And as if this were not sufficient in Thine eyes, O Elohim, Thou hast also spoken of Bais Avdecha in the future afar off, and hast regarded me according to the estate of ha’adam hama’alah (the man of high degree), O Hashem Elohim.

¹⁸ What more can Dovid speak to Thee regarding the kavod of Thy eved? For Thou hast da’as of Thy eved.

¹⁹ Hashem, for the sake of Thy eved, and according to Thine own lev (heart, will), hast Thou done all this gedullah (greatness), in making known kol hagedulot (all great things).

²⁰ Hashem, there is none like Thee, neither is there any Elohim zulah (besides) Thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

²¹ And what one goy (nation) in ha’aretz is like Thy people Yisroel, whom HaElohim went to redeem to be His own people, to make for Thee Shem Gedullot and Nora’ot, by driving out Goyim from before Thy people whom Thou hast redeemed out of Mitzrayim?

²² For Thy people Yisroel didst Thou make Thine own people ad olam; Thou Hashem, became their Elohim.

²³ Therefore now, Hashem, let the davar that Thou hast spoken concerning Thy eved and concerning his Bais be established ad olam, and do as Thou hast said.

²⁴ Let it even be established, that Thy Shem may be magnified ad olam, saying, Hashem Tzva’os is Elohei Yisroel, even Elohim to Yisroel; let Bais Dovid Avdecha be established before Thee.

²⁵ For Thou, O Elohai, hast revealed in the ozen of Thy eved that Thou wilt build him a Bais; therefore Thy eved hath found to daven in prayer before Thee.

²⁶ Now, Hashem, Thou art HaElohim, and hast promised this tovah unto Thy eved.

²⁷ Now therefore let it please Thee to make brocha upon the Bais of Thy eved, that it may be before Thee l’olam; for Thou makest brocha Hashem, and it shall be mevorech l’olam (blessed forever).

18 Now after this it came to pass, that Dovid struck the Pelishtim, and subdued them, and took Gat and her villages out of the yad of the Pelishtim.

² And he struck Moav, and Moav became Dovid’s avadim, and brought minchah.

³ And Dovid struck Hadadezer Melech Tzovah unto Chamat, as he [Hadadezer] went to establish his dominion over the river Euphrates.

⁴ And Dovid captured from him elef chariots, and 7,000 parashim, and 20,000 foot soldiers. Dovid also hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them 100 chariot horses.

⁵ And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer Melech Tzovah, Dovid slaughtered of the Syrians 22,000 ish.

⁶ Then Dovid put garrisons in Aram Damascus; and the Syrians became Dovid’s avadim (subjects), bearing minchah (tribute). Thus Hashem saved Dovid wherever he went.

⁷ And Dovid took the shields of zahav that were on avadim of Hadadezer, and brought them to Yerushalayim.

⁸ Likewise from Tivchat, and from Kun, towns of Hadadezer, Dovid took very much nechoshet, wherewith Sh’lomo made the Yam HaNechoshet, and the Ammudim, and the kelei hanechoshet.

⁹ Now when To’u Melech Chamat heard how Dovid had struck down the whole army of Hadadezer Melech Tzovah,

¹⁰ He sent Hadoram bno to HaMelech Dovid, to give him a shalom greeting, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and struck him down (for Hadadezer was an ish milchamah often against To’u); and he sent all manner kelim zahav, kesef and nechoshet.

¹¹ Them also Dovid HaMelech dedicated as kodesh unto Hashem, with the kesef and the zahav that he brought from all these Goyim; from Edom, and from Moav, and from the Bnei Ammon, and from the Pelishtim, and from Amalek.

¹² Moreover Avishai Ben Tzeruyah slaughtered of Edom in the Gey HaMelach eighteen elef.

¹³ And he put garrisons in Edom, and kol Edom became Dovid’s avadim. Thus Hashem saved Dovid wherever he went.

¹⁴ So Dovid reigned over kol Yisroel, and executed mishpat and tzedakah among all his people.

¹⁵ And Yoav Ben Tzeruyah was over the tzava (army), and Yehoshaphat Ben Achilud was mazkir (recorder, secretary).

¹⁶ And Tzadok Ben Achituv, and Avimelech Ben Evyatar (Abiathar), were the Kohanim, and Shavsha was sofer (scribe),

¹⁷ And Benayahu Ben Yehoyada was over the Kereti and the Peleti; and the Bnei Dovid were the rishonim (first ones) at the side of HaMelech.

19 Now it came to pass after this, that Nachash Melech Bnei Ammon died, and bno reigned in his place.

² And Dovid said, I will show chesed unto Chanun Ben Nachash, because aviv (his father) showed chesed to me. And Dovid sent malachim to bring condolences to him concerning aviv. So the avadim of Dovid came into the eretz Bnei Ammon to Chanun, to console him.

³ But the sarim of the Bnei Ammon said to Chanun, Thinkest thou that Dovid doth honor avicha, that he hath sent menachamim (comforters) unto thee? Are not his avadim come unto thee for to reconnoiter, and to overthrow, and to spy out ha’aretz?

⁴ Therefore Chanun arrested Dovid’s avadim, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle at the buttocks, and sent them away.

⁵ Then there went certain ones, and told Dovid about the anashim. And he sent to meet them, for the anashim were greatly humiliated. And HaMelech said, Tarry at Yericho until your zakan be grown, and then return.

⁶ And when the Bnei Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to Dovid, Chanun and the Bnei Ammon sent elef kikar (talents) kesef to hire them chariots and parashim out of Aram Naharayim, and out of Aram Ma’achah, and out of Tzovah.

⁷ So they hired thirty and two elef chariots, and Melech Ma’achah and his troop, who came and encamped before Meidva. And the Bnei Ammon gathered themselves together from their towns, and moved out for milchamah.

⁸ And when Dovid heard of it, he sent Yoav, and kol tzava hagibborim.

⁹ And the Bnei Ammon came out, and drew up for milchamah before the gate of the Ir, and the melachim that were come were by themselves in the sadeh.

¹⁰ Now when Yoav saw that the milchamah was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the best of Yisroel, and deployed them to engage Aram (the Syrians).

¹¹ And the rest of the people he delivered unto the yad of Avishai his brother, and they deployed to engage the Bnei Ammon.

¹² And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt save me, but if the Bnei Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will save thee.

¹³ Chazak (Be strong)! And let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the towns of Eloheinu, and let Hashem do that which is hatov in His eyes.

¹⁴ So Yoav and the troop that were with him drew near before the Syrians unto the milchamah; and they fled before him.

¹⁵ And when the Bnei Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Avishai his brother, and entered into the ir [Rabbah]. Then Yoav returned to Yerushalayim.

¹⁶ And when the Syrians saw that they were routed before Yisroel, they sent malachim, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the River, and Shophach sar tzava Hadadezer went before them.

¹⁷ And it was told Dovid; and he gathered kol Yisroel, and crossed over Yarden, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when Dovid had so deployed, they fought with him.

¹⁸ But the Syrians fled before Yisroel; and Dovid slaughtered of the Syrians shivah alafim in chariots, and forty elef foot soldiers, and killed Shophach sar hatzava.

¹⁹ And when avadim of Hadadezer saw that they were routed before Yisroel, they made shalom with Dovid, and became his avadim; neither would the Syrians help the Bnei Ammon any more. [T.N. 2Sm chp 11 is not repeated here, but the going of Dovid to Rabbah‖-see 2Sm 12:27-29‖is elucidated. In the hero lists, it is important to remember that some in their heroism were corruptible and some were incorruptible, Uriah being one of the latter]

20 And it came to pass, at the time of eshuvat hashanah, at the time that melachim go out to battle, Yoav led forth the chayl hatzava, and laid waste the eretz Bnei Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But Dovid tarried at Yerushalayim. And Yoav struck Rabbah, and destroyed it.

² And Dovid took the ateret of their melech from off his rosh, and found it to weigh a talent of zahav, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set upon rosh Dovid; and he brought also exceeding much plunder out of the Ir.

³ And he brought out the people that were in it, and consigned them to saws, and to picks of barzel (iron), and to axes. Even so dealt Dovid with all the towns of the Bnei Ammon. And Dovid and kol HaAm returned to Yerushalayim.

⁴ And it came to pass after this, that there arose milchamah at Gezer with the Pelishtim (Philistines); at which time Sibbechai the Chushati slaughtered Sippai, that was of the yeledim of the Refa’im, and they were subdued.

⁵ And there was milchamah again with the Pelishtim (Philistines); and Elchanan ben Yair slaughtered Lachmi the brother of Golyat (Goliath) the Gitti, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam.

⁶ And yet again there was milchamah at Gat, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each yad, and six on each foot and he also was of Rapha descent.

⁷ But when he defied Yisroel, Yehonatan ben Shimea achi Dovid slaughtered him.

⁸ These were from the Rapha descended in Gat; and they fell by the yad of Dovid, and by the yad of his avadim.

21 And Satan stood up against Yisroel, and provoked Dovid to number Yisroel.

² And Dovid said to Yoav and to the sarei HaAm, Go, number Yisroel from Beer Sheva even to Dan; and bring the mispar (number) of them to me, that I may know it.

³ But Yoav answered, Hashem make His people a hundred times so many more as they be, but, adoni HaMelech, are not they all the avadim of adoni? Why then doth adoni require this thing? Why will he be a cause of ashmah to Yisroel?

⁴ Nevertheless the davar HaMelech prevailed against Yoav. Therefore, Yoav departed, and went throughout kol Yisroel, and came to Yerushalayim.

⁵ And Yoav gave up the sum of the number of HaAm unto Dovid. And kol Yisroel were 1,100,000 ish that drew cherev; and Yehudah was 470,000 ish that drew cherev.

⁶ But Levi and Binyamin counted he not among them, for the davar HaMelech was abominable to Yoav.

⁷ And HaElohim was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Yisroel.

⁸ And Dovid said unto HaElohim, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing, but now, take away the avon of Thy eved, for I have done very foolishly.

⁹ And Hashem spoke unto Gad, Chozeh Dovid (seer of David) saying,

¹⁰ Go and tell Dovid, saying, Thus saith Hashem, I offer thee shalosh (three); choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.

¹¹ So Gad came to Dovid, and said unto him, Thus saith Hashem, Choose for thee

¹² Either shalosh shanim ra’av (famine); or shloshah chodashim to be subdued before thy foes, while that the cherev of thine oyevim overtaketh thee; or else sheloshet yamim cherev Hashem, even the dever, in HaAretz, and the Malach Hashem destroying throughout all the borders of Yisroel. Now therefore advise thyself what davar I shalll bring to Him that sent me.

¹³ And Dovid said unto Gad, I am in a great distress; let me fall now into the Yad Hashem; for rabbim me’od (very great) are His rachamim but let me not fall into the yad adam.

¹⁴ So Hashem sent dever upon Yisroel, and there fell of Yisroel shiv’im elef ish.

¹⁵ And HaElohim sent a Malach unto Yerushalayim to destroy her, and as he was destroying, Hashem beheld, and He relented Him of the ra’ah, and said to the Malach that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine yad. And the Malach Hashem stood by the goren (threshing floor) of Ornan the Yevusi.

¹⁶ And Dovid lifted up his eyes, and saw the Malach Hashem stand between Ha’Aretz and HaShomayim, having a drawn cherev in his yad stretched out over Yerushalayim. Then Dovid and the Zekenim, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.

¹⁷ And Dovid said unto HaElohim, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? Even I it is that have sinned and done harah indeed; but as for these tzon, what have they done? Let Thine Yad, Hashem Elohai, be on me, and on the Bais Avi, but not on Thy people, not with magefah (plague, see Isa 53:8 for fulfillment).

¹⁸ Then the Malach Hashem commanded Gad to say to Dovid, that Dovid should go up, and set up a Mizbe’ach unto Hashem in the goren (threshing floor) of Ornan the Yevusi.

¹⁹ And Dovid went up at the davar of Gad, which he spoke B’Shem Hashem.

²⁰ And Ornan turned back, and saw the Malach, and his four banim with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing chittim (wheat).

²¹ And as Dovid came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw Dovid, and went out from the goren (threshing floor), and prostated himself to Dovid with his face to the ground.

²² Then Dovid said to Ornan, Give me the makom of this goren (threshing floor), that I may build a Mizbe’ach therein unto Hashem; thou shalt give it me for the kesef male (full price), that the magefah (plague) may be withdrawn from HaAm.

²³ And Ornan said unto Dovid, Take it to thee, and let adoni HaMelech do that which is tov in his eyes; see, I give thee the bakar also for olot (burnt offerings), and the threshing tools for wood, and the chittim (wheat) for the minchah (grain offering, meal offering); I give it all.

²⁴ And HaMelech Dovid said to Ornan, Lo (no), but I will verily buy it for the kesef male (full price), for I will not take that which is thine for Hashem, nor offer olah (burnt offerings) without cost.

²⁵ So Dovid gave to Ornan for the makom (place, site) six hundred shekels of zahav by weight.

²⁶ And Dovid built there a Mizbe’ach unto Hashem, and offered olot (burnt offerings) and shelamim (peace offerings), and called upon Hashem, and He answered him from Shomayim by eish upon the Mizbe’ach HaOlah.

²⁷ And Hashem commanded the Malach, and He put back his cherev again into the nedan (sheath) thereof.

²⁸ At that time when Dovid saw that Hashem had answered him on the goren (threshing floor) of Ornan the Yevusi, then he sacrificed there.

²⁹ For the Mishkan Hashem, which Moshe made in the midbar, and the Mizbe’ach HaOlah, were at that time in the bamah (high place) at Giveon.

³⁰ But Dovid could not go before it to inquire of Elohim, for he was afraid because of the cherev Malach Hashem.

22 Then Dovid said, This is the Beis Hashem HaElohim, and this is the Mizbe’ach L’olah (Altar of the Burnt Offering) for Yisroel.

² And Dovid commanded to gather together the gerim (aliens) that were in Eretz Yisroel; and he set masons to carve hewn stones to build the Beis HaElohim.

³ And Dovid prepared barzel (iron) in abundance for the masmerim (nails) for the daletot (doors) of the she’arim, and for the joints; and nechoshet unweighable in abundance;

⁴ Also cedar timber in abundance, for the Tzidonim and the Tzorim brought much cedar lumber to Dovid.

⁵ And Dovid said, Sh’lomo beni (my son) is na’ar and tender, and the Bayit that is to be built for Hashem must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of tiferet before all nations. I will therefore now make preparation for it. So Dovid prepared abundantly before his mot (death).

⁶ Then he called for Sh’lomo bno, and charged him to build Bayit (House) for Hashem Elohei Yisroel.

⁷ And Dovid said to Sh’lomo, Beni (my son), as for me, it was in my mind to build Bayit (House) for the Shem of Hashem Elohai,

⁸ But the Devar Hashem came to me, saying, Thou hast done much shefach dahm, and hast made milchamot gedolot. Thou shalt not build Bayit (House) unto Shemi (My Name), because thou hast done much shefach dahm upon ha’aretz in My sight.

⁹ Hinei, Ben shall be born to thee, who shall be an ish menuchah (man of rest); and I will give him rest from all his oyevim all around; for shmo shall be Sh’lomo, and I will grant shalom and sheket (quiet) unto Yisroel in his yamim (days).

¹⁰ He shall build Bayit (House) for Shmi (My Name); and he shall be to Me as Ben and I will be to him as Av (Father); and I will establish the kisse of his Malchut over Yisroel ad olam.

¹¹ Now, beni (my son), Hashem be with thee; and prosper thou, to succeed building the Beis Hashem Eloheicha, just as He hath said about thee.

¹² Only Hashem give thee seichel and binah, so that when He give you command over Yisroel, that thou mayest be shomer over the torat Hashem Eloheicha.

¹³ Then shalt thou prosper, if thou art shomer to observe the chukkim and mishpatim which Hashem charged Moshe with concerning Yisroel. Chazak (be strong)! And be of good courage! Dread nothing in fear, nor be dismayed.

¹⁴ Now, hinei, in my oni (poor strivings) I have prepared for the Beis Hashem a hundred elef talents of zahav, and an elef alafim talents of kesef; and of nechoshet and barzel (iron) an unweighable abundance; timber also and even (stone) have I provided; and thou mayest add thereto.

¹⁵ Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and carvers of even (stone) and etz (wood), and all manner of artisans chacham in every task.

¹⁶ Of the zahav, the kesef, and the nechoshet, and the barzel, there is no number. Arise therefore, and begin and work, and Hashem be with thee.

¹⁷ Dovid also commanded all the sarim of Yisroel to help Sh’lomo bno, saying,

¹⁸ Is not Hashem Eloheichem with you? And hath He not given you rest on every side? For He hath given the inhabitants of ha’aretz into mine yad, and ha’aretz is subdued before Hashem, and before His people.

¹⁹ Now set your levav and your nefesh to seek Hashem Eloheichem; arise therefore, and build ye the Mikdash Hashem HaElohim, to bring Aron Brit Hashem, and the K’lei Kodesh HaElohim (Holy Vessels of G-d), into the Bayit that is to be built to the Shem of Hashem.

23 So when Dovid was old and full of days, he made Sh’lomo bno Melech Yisroel.

² And he gathered together all the sarim of Yisroel, with the Kohanim and the Levi’im.

³ Now the Levi’im were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward; and their number by their gulgelot (totals, head count), gevarim (men), was thirty and eight elef.

⁴ Of which, twenty and four elef were to look after the work of the Beis Hashem; and six alafim were shoterim (officials) and shofetim (judges);

⁵ Moreover four alafim were sho’arim (gatekeepers); and four alafim praised Hashem with the kelim (instruments) which I made, said Dovid, to praise therewith.

⁶ And Dovid divided them into divisions among the Bnei Levi, namely, Gershon, Kehat, and Merari.

⁷ Of the Gershoni were La’dan, and Shimei.

⁸ The Bnei La’dan; the rosh was Yechiel, and Zetam, and Yoel, three.

⁹ The Bnei Shimei; Shlomit, and Chaziel, and Haran, three. These were the rashei avot of La’dan.

¹⁰ And the Bnei Shimei were Yachat, Zina, and Yeush, and Beriah. These four were the Bnei Shimei.

¹¹ And Yachat was rosh, and Zizah the second; but Yeush and Beriah had not many banim; therefore they were in pekudah echad (one reckoning), according to their bais av.

¹² The Bnei Kehat; Amram, Yitzhar, Chevron, and Uzziel, four.

¹³ The Bnei Amram; Aharon and Moshe; Aharon was separated, to set him apart as Kodesh Kodashim, he and his banim ad olam, to burn offerings before Hashem, to minister unto Him, and to bless b’Shmo ad olam.

¹⁴ Now concerning Moshe the Ish HaElohim, his banim were reckoned of the Shevet Levi.

¹⁵ The Bnei Moshe were Gershom, and Eliezer.

¹⁶ Of the Bnei Gershom, Shevuel was the rosh.

¹⁷ And the Bnei Eliezer were Rechavyah the rosh. And Eliezer had no banim acharim; but the Bnei Rechavyah were very many.

¹⁸ Of the Bnei Yitzhar: Shlomit the rosh.

¹⁹ Of the Bnei Chevron: Yeriyahu the first, Amaryah the seond, Yachziel the third, and Yekam’am the fourth.

²⁰ Of the Bnei Uzziel: Michah the first and Yishiyah the second.

²¹ The Bnei Merari: Machli, and Mushi. The Bnei Machli; Eleazar, and Kish.

²² And Eleazar died, and had no banim, only banot, and their brethren the Bnei Kish took them as wives.

²³ The Bnei Mushi; Machli, and Eder, and Yeremot, three.

²⁴ These were the Bnei Levi after the bais avoteihem; even the rashei avot, as they were counted by number of shmot by their head count, that did the work for the avodas Beis Hashem, from the age of twenty shanah and upward.

²⁵ For Dovid said, Hashem Elohei Yisroel hath given rest unto His people, that they may dwell in Yerushalayim ad l’olam;

²⁶ And also unto the Levi’im; they shall no more carry the Mishkan, nor any kelim (vessels) of it for the avodah thereof.

²⁷ According to the last instructions of Dovid the Bnei Levi were numbered from those twenty shanah and above;

²⁸ Because their ma’amad (position) was to wait on the Bnei Aharon for the avodas Beis Hashem, in the khatzerot, and in the rooms, and in the tahorat (cleansing) of kol kodesh, and the work of the avodas Beis HaElohim;

²⁹ Both for the Lechem HaMa’arechet (showbread), and for the solet (flour) for minchah, and for the cakes of matzot, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is scalded, and for all manner of measure and size;

³⁰ And to stand baboker baboker to thank and praise Hashem, and likewise at erev (evening);

³¹ And to offer all olot (burnt offerings) unto Hashem on Shabbatot, at Rosh Chodesh, and at mo’adim, according to their number ordained for them, tamid before Hashem;

³² And that they should be shomer to keep the mishmeret (watch, guard responsibility) of the Ohel Mo’ed and the mishmeret of the Kodesh, and the mishmeret of the Bnei Aharon their brethren, in the avodas Beis Hashem.

24 Now these are the divisions of the Bnei Aharon; the Bnei Aharon; Nadav, and Avihu, Eleazar, and Itamar.

² But Nadav and Avihu died before avihem (their father), and had no banim; therefore Eleazar and Itamar became Kohanim.

³ And Dovid with both Tzadok of the Bnei Eleazar, and Achimelech of the Bnei Itamar, divided them according to their pekudim (offices, assignments) in their avodah.

⁴ And there were more Rashei HaGevarim found of the Bnei Eleazar than of the Bnei Itamar, and thus were they divided. Among the Bnei Eleazar there were sixteen Rashim l’Bais Avot, and eight among the Bnei Itamar according to the Bais of their Avot.

⁵ Thus were they divided by goralot (lots) with one another; for the Sarei Kodesh and Sarei HaElohim, were of the Bnei Eleazar, and of the Bnei Itamar.

⁶ And Shema’yah ben Netanel the Sofer, one of the Levi’im, wrote them before HaMelech, and the Sarim, and Tzadok HaKohen, and Achimelech ben Evyatar (Abiathar), and before the Rashei HaAvot of the Kohanim and Levi’im, Bais Avechad being chosen for Eleazar, and one chosen for Itamar.

⁷ Now the first goral (lot) came forth to Yehoyariv, the second to Yedayah,

⁸ The third to Charim, the fourth to Seorim,

⁹ The fifth to Malkiyyah, the sixth to Miyamin,

¹⁰ The seventh to Hakotz, the eighth to Aviyah,

¹¹ The ninth to Yeshua, the tenth to Shekhanyahu,

¹² The eleventh to Elyashiv, the twelfth to Yakim,

¹³ The thirteenth to Chuppah, the fourteenth to Yeshevav,

¹⁴ The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

¹⁵ The seventeenth to Chezir, the eighteenth to Happitztzetz,

¹⁶ The nineteenth to Petakhyah, the twentieth to Yechezkel,

¹⁷ The one and twentieth to Yachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,

¹⁸ The three and twentieth to Delayahu, the four and twentieth to Ma’azyahu.

¹⁹ These were the pekudim (offices, assigments) of them in their avodah to come into the Bais Hashem, according to their mishpatim (regulations), under Aharon Avihem just as Hashem Elohei Yisroel had commanded him.

²⁰ And the rest of the Bnei Levi were these: Of the Bnei Amram: Shuvael; of the Bnei Shuvael: Yechdeyahu.

²¹ Concerning Rechavyahu, of the Bnei Rechavyahu, the first was Yishshiyah.

²² Of the Yitzhari: Shelomot; of the Bnei Shelomot: Yachat.

²³ And [the Bnei Chevron]: Yeriyahu the first, Amaryahu the second, Yakhaziel the third, Yekam’am the fourth.

²⁴ Of the Bnei Uzziel: Michah; of the Bnei Michah: Shamir.

²⁵ The brother of Michah was Yishshiyah; of the Bnei Yishshiyah: Zecharyah.

²⁶ The Bnei Merari were Machli and Mushi; the Bnei Ya’aziyahu, Beno.

²⁷ The Bnei Merari: by Yaaziyahu: Beno, and Shoham, and Zakkur, and Ivri.

²⁸ Of Machli came Eleazar, who had no banim.

²⁹ Concerning Kish: the ben Kish was Yerachme’el.

³⁰ The Bnei Mushi: Machli, and Eder, and Yerimot. These were the Bnei HaLevi’im after the Bais Avoteihem.

³¹ These likewise cast goralot (lots) corresponding to their brethren the Bnei Aharon in the presence of Dovid HaMelech, and Tzadok, and Achimelech, and the Rashei HaAvot LaKohanim and Levi’im, even the Avot HaRosh as well as Achiv HaKatan.

25 Moreover Dovid and the sarim of the tzava separated for avodah of the Bnei Asaph, and of Heman, and of Yedutun, who should prophesy with kinnorot, with nevalim, and with cymbals; and the number of the workmen according to their avodah (service) was;

² Of the Bnei Asaph; Zakkur, and Yosef, and Netanyah, and Asarelah, the Bnei Asaph under the hand of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of HaMelech.

³ Of Yedutun, the Bnei Yedutun: Gedalyah, and Tzeri, and Yeshayahu, Chashavyahu, and Mattityahu, six, under the hands of their av Yedutun, who prophesied with a kinnor, to give thanks and to praise Hashem.

⁴ Of Heman, the Bnei Heman: Bukiyahu, Matanyahu, Uzziel, Shevuel, and Yerimot, Chananyah, Chanani, Eliatah, Giddalti, and Romamti, Ezer, Yoshbekashah, Maloti, Hotir, and Machazi’ot;

⁵ All these were the banim Heman the chozer (seer) of HaMelech in the devarim of Elohim, to lift up the keren. And HaElohim gave to Heman fourteen banim and three banot.

⁶ All these were under the hands of their av for shir in the Beis Hashem, with cymbals, nevalim, and kinnorot, for avodas Beis HaElohim, under the support of HaMelech to Asaph, Yedutun, and Heman.

⁷ So the number of them, with their brethren that were trained in the shir Hashem (music, songs of Hashem), even all that were skilled, was two hundred fourscore and eight.

⁸ And they cast goralot, shift against shift, katon as well as gadol, the meiven as well as the talmid (student).

⁹ Now the first goral which was for Asaph fell to Yosef; the second to Gedalyahu, who with his brethren and banim were 12;

¹⁰ The third to Zakkur, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

¹¹ The fourth to Yitzri, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

¹² The fifth to Netanyahu, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

¹³ The sixth to Bukiyahu, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

¹⁴ The seventh to Yesarelah, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

¹⁵ The eighth to Yeshayahu, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

¹⁶ The ninth to Matanyahu, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

¹⁷ The tenth to Shimei, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

¹⁸ The eleventh to Azare’el, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

¹⁹ The twelfth to Chashavyah, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

²⁰ The thirteenth to Shuva’el, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

²¹ The fourteenth to Mattityahu, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

²² The fifteenth to Yeremot, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

²³ The sixteenth to Chananyahu, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

²⁴ The seventeenth to Yoshbekashah, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

²⁵ The eighteenth to Chanani, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

²⁶ The nineteenth to Maloti, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

²⁷ The twentieth to Eliyatah, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

²⁸ The one and twentieth to Hotir, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

²⁹ The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

³⁰ The three and twentieth to Machziot, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12;

³¹ The four and twentieth to Romamti Ezer, he, his banim, and his brethren, were 12.

26 Concerning the divisions of the sho’arim (gatekeepers); Of the Korchim was Meshelemyahu Ben Kore, of the Bnei Asaph.

² And the banim of Meshelemyahu were Zecharyahu the bechor, Yedia’el the second, Zevadyahu the third, Yatniel the fourth,

³ Eilam the fifth, Yehochanan the sixth, Elyehoei’nai the seventh.

⁴ Moreover the banim of Oved Edom were Shema’yah the bechor, Yehozavad the second, Yoach the third, and Sachar the fourth, and Netan’el the fifth,

⁵ Ammi’el the sixth, Yissakhar the seventh, Peultai the eighth; for Elohim blessed him.

⁶ Also unto Shema’yah bno were banim born, that ruled throughout the bais avihem, for they were gibborei chayil.

⁷ The Bnei Shema’yah: Otni, and Repha’el, and Oved, Elzavad, whose brethren were bnei chayil, Elihu, and Semachyahu.

⁸ All these of the Bnei Oved Edom; they and their banim and their brethren, ish chayil for ko’ach for the avodah, were threescore and two of Oved Edom.

⁹ And Meshelemyahu had banim and brethren, bnei chayil, eighteen.

¹⁰ Also Chosah, of the Bnei Merari, had banim; Shimri the rosh, (for though he was not the bechor, yet avihu appointed him rosh);

¹¹ Chilkiyahu the second, Tevalyahu the third, Zecharyahu the fourth; all the banim and brethren of Chosah were thirteen.

¹² Among these were the divisions of the sho’arim, even among the rashei hagibborim, having mishmeret (duties), just as their brethren, to minister service in the Beis Hashem.

¹³ And they cast goralot, the katon as well as the gadol, to their bais avot, for every sha’ar.

¹⁴ And the goral for the east fell to Shelemyahu. Then for Zecharyahu bno, a yo’etz (counselor) with seichel (wisdom), they cast goralot; and his goral fell out northward.

¹⁵ To Oved Edom southward; and to his banim the Asuppim Bais.

¹⁶ To Shuppim and Chosah the goral came forth westward, with the Sha’ar Shallechet, by the upper road, mishmar (guard) corresponded to mishmar.

¹⁷ Eastward were six Levi’im, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim shnayim shnayim (two and two).

¹⁸ At Parbar westward, four at the road, and two at Parbar.

¹⁹ These are the divisions of the sho’arim among the Bnei Korchi, and among the Bnei Merari.

²⁰ And of the Levi’im, Achiyah was over the otzarot of the Beis HaElohim, and over the otzarot of the kodashim.

²¹ As concerning the Bnei La’dan; the Bnei HaGershuni through La’dan, rashei ha’avot, even of La’dan the Gershoni, were Yechieli.

²² The Bnei Yechieli: Zetam, and Yoel his brother, which were over the otzarot of the Beis Hashem.

²³ Of the Amrami, and the Yitzhari, the Chevroni, and the Uzzieli;

²⁴ And Shevuel Ben Gershom Ben Moshe, was nagid of the otzarot.

²⁵ And his brethren by Eliezer: Rechavyahu bno, and Yesha’yahu bno, and Yoram bno, and Zichri bno, and Shlomit bno.

²⁶ Which Shlomit and his brethren were over all the otzarot of the kodashim, which Dovid HaMelech, and the rashei ha’avot, the sarim over alafim and me’ot, and the sarim of the tzava (army), had dedicated as kodesh.

²⁷ Out of the plunder won in battles did they dedicate as kadosh to maintain the Beis Hashem.

²⁸ And all that Shmuel the ro’eh (seer), and Sha’ul Ben Kish, and Avner Ben Ner, and Yoav Ben Tzeruyah, had dedicated as kodesh; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the yad of Shlomit, and of his brethren.

²⁹ Of the Yitzhari, Kenanyahu and his banim were for the outside labor of Yisroel, for shoterim (officials) and shofetim (judges).

³⁰ And of the Chevroni, Chashavyahu and his brethren, bnei chayil, an elef and shivah me’ot (hundred), were in charge of Yisroel on this side of the Yarden westward in all the work of Hashem, and in the avodas HaMelech.

³¹ Among the Chevroni was Yeriyah the rosh, even among the Chevroni, according to the toldot of his avot. In the fortieth year of the reign of Dovid they were sought, and there were found among them gibborei chayil at Yazer of Gil’ad.

³² And his brethren, bnei chayil, were two thousand and shivah hundred rashei ha’avot, whom Dovid HaMelech put over the Reuveni, the Gadi, and the half tribe of Menasheh, for every matter pertaining to Elohim, and the affairs of HaMelech.

27 Now the Bnei Yisroel after their number, namely, the rashei ha’avot and sarim of alafim and me’ot (hundreds), and their shoterim that served HaMelech in any matter of the divisions, which came in and went out chodesh b’chodesh (month by month) throughout all the months of the shanah, each division consisting of twenty and four elef.

² Over the first division for the chodesh harishon was Yashov’am Ben Zavdiel; and in his division were twenty and four elef.

³ Of the Bnei Peretz was the rosh of all the sarim of the tzava’os (armies) for the first month.

⁴ And over the division of the second month was Dodai the Achochi, and of his division was Miklot also the nagid; in his division likewise were twenty and four elef.

⁵ The third sar (commander) of the tzava (army) for the third month was Benayahu Ben Yehoyada, the Kohen Rosh; and in his division were twenty and four elef.

⁶ This is that Benayahu, who was gibbor among the Shloshim (Thirty), and over the Shloshim; and in his division was Ammizabad bno.

⁷ The fourth for the fourth month was Asah-el the brother of Yoav, and Zevadyah bno after him; and in his division were twenty and four elef.

⁸ The fifth sar for the fifth month was Shamhut the Yizrach; and in his division were twenty and four elef.

⁹ The sixth for the sixth month was Ira Ben Ikkesh the Tekoi; and in his division were twenty and four elef.

¹⁰ The seventh for the seventh month was Cheletz the Peloni, of the Bnei Ephrayim; and in his division were 24,000.

¹¹ The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbchai the Chushati, of the Zarchi; and in his division were 24,000.

¹² The ninth for the ninth month was Aviezer the Anetoti, of Binyamin; and in his division were 24,000.

¹³ The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophati, of the Zarchi; and in his division were 24,000.

¹⁴ The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benayah the Piratoni, of the Bnei Ephrayim; and in his division were 24,000.

¹⁵ The twelfth for the twelfth month was Cheldai the Netophati, of Otniel; and in his division were 24,000.

¹⁶ Furthermore over the Shivtei Yisroel; the nagid of the Reuveni was Eliezer Ben Zichri; of the Simeoni, Shephatyahu Ben Ma’achah;

¹⁷ Of the Levi’im, Chashavyah Ben Kemu’el; of Aharon, Tzadok;

¹⁸ Of Yehudah, Elihu, one of the brethren of Dovid; of Yissakhar, Omri Ben Micha’el;

¹⁹ Of Zevulun, Yishmayahu Ben Ovadyah; of Naphtali, Yerimot Ben Azri’el;

²⁰ Of the Bnei Ephrayim, Hoshea Ben Azazyahu; of the half tribe of Menasheh, Yoel Ben Pedayahu;

²¹ Of the half tribe of Menasheh in Gil’ad, Yiddo Ben Zecharyahu; of Binyamin, Ya’asiel Ben Avner;

²² Of Dan, Azare’el Ben Yerocham. These were the sarim of the Shivtei Yisroel.

²³ But Dovid took not the number of them from twenty shanim and under; because Hashem had said he would increase Yisroel like to the kokhavim of HaShomayim.

²⁴ Yoav Ben Tzeruyah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell ketzef (wrath) on account of this against Yisroel; neither was the number put in the Divrei HaYamim of Melech Dovid.

²⁵ And over the otzarot HaMelech was Azmavet Ben Adiel; and over the storehouses in the sadot, in the towns, and in the villages, and in the migdalot was Yehonatan Ben Uziyahu;

²⁶ And over them that did the work of the sadeh to till the adamah was Ezri Ben Keluv;

²⁷ And over the kramim was Shimei the Ramati; over the increase of the kramim for the wine vats was Zavdi the Shiphmi;

²⁸ And over the zeitim and the sycomore trees that were in the Shefelah was Ba’al Chanan the Gederi; over the shemen storehouses, Yoash;

²⁹ And over the bakar (herd) that fed in Sharon was Shirtai the Sharoni; over the bakar that were in the valleys was Shaphat Ben Adlai;

³⁰ Over the gemalim (camels) also was Ovil the Yishmaeli; and over the donkeys was Yechdeyahu the Meronoti;

³¹ And over the tzon (flock) was Yaziz the Hageri. All these were the sarim of the property which pertained to Melech Dovid.

³² Also Yonatan Dovid’s dod (uncle) was a yoetz (counsellor), an ish meivin, and a sofer; and Yechiel Ben Chachmoni was with the Bnei HaMelech;

³³ And Achitophel was the yoetz l’Melech; and Chushai the Arki was the re’a HaMelech;

³⁴ And after Achitophel was Yehoyada Ben Benayahu, and Evyatar (Abiathar); and the sar tzava (commander of the army) of HaMelech was Yoav.

28 And Dovid assembled kol Sarei Yisroel, the Sarei HaShevatim, and the Sarei HaMachlekot that ministered to HaMelech by course, and the Sarei HaAlafim, and Sarei HaMe’ot, and the Sarei kol rechush (stewards over all the property) and mikneh (livestock) of HaMelech, and of his banim, with the sarisim (palace officials), and with the Gibborim, and with all the Gibbor chayil, unto Yerushalayim.

² Then Dovid HaMelech stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people. As for me, I had in mine levav to build a Bais Menuchah for the Aron Brit Hashem, and for the hadom (footstool) of Eloheinu, and had made ready to build;

³ But HaElohim said unto me, Thou shalt not build a Bais for My Shem, because thou hast been an ish milchamot of shefach damim.

⁴ Howbeit Hashem Elohei Yisroel chose me before all the Bais Avi to be Melech over Yisroel l’olam; for He hath chosen Yehudah to be Nagid; and of the Bais Yehudah, the Bais Avi; and among the Bnei Avi He was pleased to make me Melech over kol Yisroel.

⁵ And of all my banim, (for Hashem hath given me rabbim banim,) He hath chosen Sh’lomo beni (my son) to sit upon the kisse Malchut Hashem over Yisroel.

⁶ And He said unto me, Sh’lomo binecha, he shall build My Bais and My khatzerot (courts, courtyards), for I have chosen him to be Beni (My Son), and I will be his Av.

⁷ Moreover I will establish his Malchut ad l’olam, if he be steadfast to do My mitzvot and My mishpatim, as on this yom.

⁸ Now therefore in the sight of kol Yisroel the kehal Hashem, and in the ears of Eloheinu, be shomer and seek for all the Mitzvot Hashem Eloheichem lema’an (in order that) ye may possess this eretz hatovah; and leave it for a nachalah for your banim after you ad olam.

⁹ And thou, Sh’lomo beni (my son), know thou the Elohei Avicha, and serve Him with a lev shalem and with a nefesh chafetzah (willing mind), for Hashem searcheth kol levavot, and understandeth all the yetzer machashavot. If thou seek Him, He will be found by thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever.

¹⁰ Take heed now, for Hashem hath chosen thee to build a Bais l’Mikdash. Chazak! And do it!

¹¹ Then Dovid gave to Sh’lomo bno the tavnit (plan, pattern) of the ulam, and of the structures thereof, and of the Ganzakim (storerooms) thereof, and of the Aliyyot (upper rooms) thereof, and of the Penimim (Inner ones) thereof, and of the Bais Hakappores (house of the kapporet),

¹² And the tavnit of all that he had by the Ruach [Hakodesh], of the khatzerot (courtyards) of the Bais Hashem, and of all the surrounding chambers, of the Otzerot of the Bais HaElohim, and of the Otzerot of the kadashim (consecrated things);

¹³ Also for the courses of the Kohanim and the Levi’im, and for all the work of the Avodas Bais Hashem, and for all the kelei Avodas Bais Hashem.

¹⁴ He gave zahav by weight for things of zahav, for all kelei Avodah of every kind of avodah (service); for all kelei hakesef by weight, for all kelei avodah va’avodah (vessels for every kind of service),

¹⁵ Even the weight for the menorot hazahav, and for their nerot (lamps) of zahav was according to the weight for every menorah, and for the nerot (lamps) thereof; and for the menorat hakesef by weight, both for the menorah, and also for the nerot (lamps) thereof, according to the use of every menorah.

¹⁶ And by weight he gave zahav for the Shulchanot HaMa’arechet (the tables of the spreading out [showbread]) for each shulchan; and likewise kesef for the shulchanot hakesef (silver tables);

¹⁷ Also pure zahav for the mizlagot (forks), and the mizrakot (blood bowls), and shelves; kesot zahav tahor and the kipor hazahav (golden basin) for every kipor (basin); and likewise kesef by weight for every kipor hakesef (silver basin);

¹⁸ And for the Mizbe’ach HaKetoret refined zahav by weight; and zahav for the tavnit of the Merkavah, the Keruvim Zahav, that spread out their wings, and covered the Aron Brit Hashem.

¹⁹ All this, said Dovid, is in writing by the Yad Hashem on me, giving me seichel to understand all the works of this tavnit (plan, pattern).

²⁰ And Dovid said to Sh’lomo bno, Chazak! Ve’emetz! (Be strong and take courage!) And do it; fear not, nor be discouraged; for Hashem Elohim, even Elohai, will be with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the Avodas Bais Hashem.

²¹ And, hinei, the divisions of the Kohanim and the Levi’im, even they shall be with thee for all the Avodas Bais HaElohim and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing man, bringing their chochmah for kol Avodah; also the Sarim and kol HaAm will be wholly at thy commandment.

29 Furthermore Dovid HaMelech said unto kol HaKahal, Sh’lomo beni (my son), the one Elohim hath chosen, is yet na’ar and tender, and the melachah (work, task) is gedolah; for the palace is not for adam, but for Hashem Elohim.

² Now I have provided with all my ko’ach for the Bais Elohai the zahav for things to be made of zahav, and the kesef for things of kesef, and the nechoshet for things of nechoshet, the barzel (iron) for things of barzel (iron), and etzim for things of etzim; onyx stones to be set, turquoise, and stones of various colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble, all in abundance.

³ Moreover, because I have set my affection on the Bais Elohai, I have of mine own segullah (treasure) zahav and kesef, which I have given to the Bais Elohai, over and above all that I have prepared for the Beis HaKodesh.

⁴ Even shloshet alafim talents of zahav, of the zahav of Ophir, and shivat alafim talents of refined kesef, to overlay the walls of the buildings;

⁵ The zahav for things of zahav, and the kesef for things of kesef, and for all manner of melachah (work) to be made by the hands of charashim (artisans). And who then is willing to consecrate his yad today unto Hashem?

⁶ Then the sarei ha’avot and the sarei shivtei Yisroel and the sarei ha’alafim and of me’ot, with the sarei melechet hamelech (officials over the work of the King), made freewill offerings.

⁷ And gave for the Avodas Beis HaElohim five thousand talents and ten thousand darkons of zahav, and ten thousand talents of kesef, and eighteen thousand talents of nechoshet, and one hundred thousand talents of barzel.

⁸ And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the Otzer Bais Hashem, by the yad of Yechiel the Gershoni.

⁹ Then the people rejoiced, for theirs were freewill offerings, because with lev shalem they offered willingly to Hashem; and Dovid HaMelech also rejoiced with simchah gedolah.

¹⁰ Wherefore Dovid blessed Hashem before the eyes of kol HaKahal; and Dovid said, Baruch atah Adonoi Elohei Yisroel Avinu meOlam v’ad olam.

¹¹ Thine, Hashem is HaGedulah, and HaGevurah, and HaTiferet and HaNetzach and HaHod; for all that is in the Shomayim and in Ha’aretz is Thine; Thine is the Mamlachah, O Hashem, and Thou art exalted as Rosh above all.

¹² Both osher and kavod come of Thee, and Thou art Moshel over all; and in Thine yad is ko’ach and gevurah; and in Thine yad it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

¹³ Now therefore, Eloheinu, we thank Thee, and praise Thy Shem Tiferet.

¹⁴ But who am I, and what is my people, that we should have ko’ach to make this freewill offering? For all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.

¹⁵ For we are gerim before Thee, and toshavim (resident aliens), as were kol Avoteinu; our yamim on ha’aretz are as a tzel (shadow), and there is no mikveh (hope).

¹⁶ Hashem Eloheinu, all this great abundance that we have provided to build Thee a Bais for Shem Kadshecha cometh of Thine yad, and is all Thine own.

¹⁷ I know also, Elohai, that Thou doth test the levav, and hast pleasure in meisharim (integrities, uprightness, equity). As for me, in the yosher levavi I have made freewill offerings of all these things, and now have I seen with simchah Thy people, which are present here, willingly offer freewill offerings unto Thee.

¹⁸ Hashem Elohei Avraham, Yitzchak, and of Yisroel, Avoteinu, be shomer over this l’olam in the yetzer (inclination) of the machshevot (thoughts) of the levav of Thy people, and set their lev unto Thee.

¹⁹ And give unto Sh’lomo beni a levav shalem, to be shomer over Thy mitzvot, Thy edot, and Thy chukkot, and to do all these things, and to build the Bayit, for the which I have made provision.

²⁰ And Dovid said to kol HaKahal, Barchu nah es Hashem Eloheichem. And kol HaKahal blessed Hashem Elohei Avoteihem, and bowed down, and fell prostrate before Hashem and before HaMelech.

²¹ And they sacrificed zevakhim unto Hashem, and offered olot unto Hashem, on the next day after that yom, even a thousand parim (bulls), a thousand eilim (rams), and a thousand kevasim, with their nesakim, and zevakhim in abundance for kol Yisroel;

²² And did eat and drink before Hashem on that day with simchah gedolah. And they crowned Sh’lomo Ben Dovid Melech the second time, and anointed him unto Hashem to be Nagid (ruler), and Tzadok to be Kohen.

²³ Then Sh’lomo sat on the kisse Hashem as Melech instead of Dovid Aviv, and prospered, and kol Yisroel obeyed him.

²⁴ And all the sarim, and the gibborim, and all the Bnei HaMelech Dovid submitted themselves unto Sh’lomo HaMelech.

²⁵ And Hashem magnified Sh’lomo exceedingly in the eyes of all Yisroel, and bestowed upon him such hod malchut (royal majesty) as had not been on any melech before him in Yisroel.

²⁶ Thus Dovid Ben Yishai reigned over kol Yisroel.

²⁷ And the time that he reigned over Yisroel was arba’im shanah; sheva shanim reigned he in Chevron, and thirty and three reigned he in Yerushalayim.

²⁸ And he died in a good old age, full of yamim, oisher, and kavod; and Sh’lomo bno reigned in his place.

²⁹ Now the acts of Dovid HaMelech, first and last, behold, they are written in the Divrei Shmuel HaRo’eh, and in the Divrei Natan HaNavi, and in the Divrei Gad the chozeh (seer),

³⁰ With all his malchut and his gevurah, and the times that passed around him, and around Yisroel, and over kol mamlechot ha’aratzot (kingdoms of the lands).

1 And Sh’lomo Ben Dovid was strengthened in his kingdom, and Hashem Elohav was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.

² Then Sh’lomo spoke unto kol Yisroel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and to the shofetim, and to every Nasi in kol Yisroel, the Rashei HaAvot.

³ So Sh’lomo, and Kol HaKahal with him, went to the high place that was at Giv’on, for there was the Ohel Mo’ed HaElohim, which Moshe eved Hashem had made in the midbar.

⁴ But the Aron HaElohim Dovid had brought up from Kiryat-Yearim to the place which Dovid had prepared for it; for he had pitched an Ohel for it at Yerushalayim.

⁵ Moreover the Mizbe’ach Hanechoshet, that Betzalel ben Uri ben Chur had made, he put in front of the Mishkan Hashem; and Sh’lomo and HaKahal inquired of Him.

⁶ And Sh’lomo went up there to the Mizbe’ach Hanechoshet before Hashem, which was at the Ohel Mo’ed, and offered a thousand olot upon it.

⁷ In that lailah did Elohim appear unto Sh’lomo, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

⁸ And Sh’lomo said unto Elohim, Thou hast showed chesed gadol unto Dovid Avi, and hast made me to reign in his place.

⁹ Now, Hashem Elohim, let Thy Davar unto Dovid Avi be established, for Thou hast made me melech over Am Rav like the aphar ha’aretz in multitude.

¹⁰ Give me now chochmah and intelligence, that I may go out and come in before HaAm Hazeh, for who can judge this Thy people, that is so great?

¹¹ And Elohim said to Sh’lomo, Because this was in thine levav, and thou hast not asked osher, riches, or kavod, nor the nefesh of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked yamim rabbim (many days, long life), but hast asked chochmah and intelligence for thyself, that thou mayest judge My people, over whom I have made thee melech,

¹² Chochmah and intelligence is granted unto thee; and I will give thee osher, and riches, and kavod, such as none of the melachim have had that be before or after thee.

¹³ Then Sh’lomo came from his journey to the high place that was at Giv’on, from before the Ohel Mo’ed, to Yerushalayim, and reigned over Yisroel.

¹⁴ And Sh’lomo gathered chariots and parashim (horsemen); and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand parashim, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with HaMelech at Yerushalayim.

¹⁵ And HaMelech made kesef and zahav at Yerushalayim as plenteous as avanim, and cedar trees he made as abundant as the sycomore fig trees that are in the Shefelah.

¹⁶ And Sh’lomo had susim imported from Mitzrayim and from Keve; the royal buyers purchased them from Keve.

¹⁷ And they imported from Mitzrayim, and then exported a merkavah (chariot) for six hundred shekels of kesef, and a sus (horse) for a hundred and fifty; and so they exported susim to all the melachim of the Chittim, and to the melachim of Aram (Syria).

2 ^(1:18) And Sh’lomo determined to build a Bais for the Shem of Hashem, and a Bais (palace) for his kingdom.

^2 (2:1) And Sh’lomo conscripted threescore and ten thousand ish to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand ish as stonecutters in the hill country, and three thousand and six hundred to be their foremen to oversee them.

^3 (2:2) And Sh’lomo sent to Churam Melech Tzor, saying, As thou didst deal with Dovid Avi, and didst send him cedars to build him a Bais (palace) to dwell therein, even so deal with me.

^4 (2:3) Hinei, I build a Bais for the Shem of Hashem Elohai, to set it apart as kodesh and to dedicate it to Him, and to burn before Him ketoret sammim (fragrant incense), and for the ma’arekhet tamid (regular offering of the rows of bread), and for the olot boker and erev, on the Shabbatot, and on every Rosh-Chodesh, and on the Mo’adei Hashem Eloheinu. This is for l’olam (forever) to Yisroel.

^5 (2:4) And HaBeis which I build is gadol, for gadol is Eloheinu above kol HaElohim (all the g-ds).

^6 (2:5) But who has the ko’ach to build Him a Bais, seeing the Shomayim and Shomayim of Shomayim cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a Bais, except to burn sacrifices before Him?

^7 (2:6) Send me now therefore an ish chacham in zahav, and in kesef, and in nechoshet, and in barzel, and in purple, and in crimson, and in blue wool, and that has skill in the art of engraving to work with my chachamim in Yehudah and in Yerushalayim whom Dovid Avi did provide.

^8 (2:7) Send me also cedar, pine, and algum logs, from the Levanon, for I know that thy avadim have skill to cut timber in the Levanon; and, hinei, my avadim shall be with thy avadim,

^9 (2:8) Even to provide me lumber in abundance, for the Bais which I am about to build shall be gadol v’hafeleh (great and magnificent).

^10 (2:9) And, hinei, I will give to thy avadim, the woodsmen that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten chittim, and twenty thousand measures of se’orim, and twenty thousand baths of yayin, and twenty thousand baths of shemen (olive oil).

^11 (2:10) Then Churam Melech Tzor answered by letter, which he sent to Sh’lomo, Because Hashem hath loved His people, He hath made thee Melech over them.

^12 (2:11) Churam said moreover, Baruch Hashem Elohei Yisroel, that made Shomayim v’et HaAretz, Who hath given to Dovid HaMelech a ben chacham (wise son), endued with seichel and binah, that might build a Bais for Hashem, and a Bais (palace) for his kingdom.

^13 (2:12) And now I have sent an ish chacham, endued with binah, namely my master craftsman Churam-Avi,

^14 (2:13) ben isha of the Banot Dan, and his av was an ish Tzor, trained to work in zahav, and in kesef, in nechoshet, in barzel, in avanim (stone), and in etzim (wood), in purple, in blue wool, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to engrave every kind of engraving, and to execute every design which shall be put to him, with thy chachamim, and with the chachmei adoni Dovid Avicha.

^15 (2:14) Now therefore the chittim, and the se’orim, the shemen, and the yayin, which adoni hath spoken of, let him send unto his avadim,

^16 (2:15) And we will cut etzim out of the Levanon, as much as thou shalt need; and we will float it to thee in rafts by yam to Yafo, and thou shalt carry it up to Yerushalayim.

^17 (2:16) And Sh’lomo took a census of all the gerim that were in Eretz Yisroel, after the census wherewith Dovid Aviv had numbered them; and they were found a hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.

^18 (2:17) And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be stonecutters in the hill country, and three thousand and six hundred menatzkhim (foremen overseers) to keep HaAm working. [T.N. See 1Kgs 6:1. 966 B.C.E. the construction began on the Beis HaMikdash.]

3 Then Sh’lomo began to build the Bais Hashem at Yerushalayim in Mt Moriyah, where Hashem appeared unto Dovid Avihu, in the makom (place) which Dovid had prepared in the goren (threshing floor) of Ornan the Yevusi.

² And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his [Sh’lomo’s 970-930 B.C.E.] reign.

³ Now these are the foundations which Sh’lomo laid for the building of the Bais HaElohim. The length by cubits using the middah harishonah (old standard) was threescore cubits, and the width twenty cubits.

⁴ And the Ulam that was in the front of the Bais (porch or vestibule in front of the Holy Place), the length of it was according to the width of the Bais, twenty cubits, and the height was twenty, and he overlaid it within with zahav tahor.

⁵ And the Bais HaGadol he paneled with cypress, which he overlaid with zahav tov, and carved thereon timorim (palm trees) and sharsherot (chainwork).

⁶ And he decorated the Bais with precious stones for tiferet (beauty), and the zahav was zahav from Parvayim.

⁷ He overlaid also the Bais, the ceiling beams, the thresholds, and the walls thereof, and the daletot (doors) thereof, with zahav; and carved keruvim on the walls.

⁸ And he made the Bais Kodesh HaKadashim, the length whereof was according to the width of the bais, twenty cubits long, and the width thereof twenty cubits, and he overlaid it with zahav tov of six hundred talents.

⁹ And the weight of the masmerot (nails) was fifty shekels of zahav. And he overlaid the upper rooms with zahav.

¹⁰ And in the Bais Kodesh HaKadashim he made two keruvim of ma’aseh tza’atzu’im (sculpture work), and overlaid them with zahav.

¹¹ And the wings of the keruvim were twenty cubits long; one wing of the one keruv was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the Bais; and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other keruv.

¹² And one wing of the other keruv was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the Bais; and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other keruv.

¹³ The wings of these keruvim spread themselves forth twenty cubits; and they stood on their feet, and their faces turned inward.

¹⁴ And he made the Parochet of blue wool, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought keruvim thereon.

¹⁵ Also he made before the Bais two [freestanding] Ammudim (pillars) of thirty and five cubits high [53 feet], and the capital that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.

¹⁶ And he made sharsherot in the Devir, and put them on the rosh of the Ammudim; and made a hundred pomegranates, and put them on the sharsherot.

¹⁷ And he erected the Ammudim before the Heikhal, one on the right, and the other on the left; and called the shem of that on the right Yachin, and the shem of that on the left Boaz.

4 Moreover he made a Mizbe’ach nechoshet, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the width thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.

² Also he made a Yam Mutzak (Molten "Sea") of ten cubits from brim to brim. It was round, and five cubits the height thereof, and a line of thirty cubits did completely encircle it.

³ And under it was the demut (likeness) of bulls, all around, ten per cubit, surrounding the Yam. Two rows of bulls were cast, when it was cast.

⁴ It stood upon shneym asar bakar (twelve bulls), three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and the Yam was set above upon them, and all their hindquarters were toward the inside.

⁵ And the thickness of it was a handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a kos, like the flower of a lily; and it received and held the capacity of shloshet alafim baths.

⁶ He made also ten kiyyorim (lavers, basins for washing), and put five on the right and five on the left, to wash in them; such things as they offered for the olah (burnt offering) they washed in them; but the Yam was for the Kohanim to wash in.

⁷ And he made ten Menorot HaZahav as prescribed, and set them in the Heikhal, five on the right, and five on the left.

⁸ He made also ten Shulchanot, and placed them in the Heikhal, five on the right, and five on the left. And he made a hundred mizrekei zahav (golden basins).

⁹ Furthermore he made the Khatzer HaKohanim, and the Azarah HaGedolal (the Great Temple Courtyard area), and delatot laAzarah, and overlaid the daletot of them with nechoshet (bronze).

¹⁰ And he set the Yam on the right, eastward, opposite the south.

¹¹ And Churam made the sirot, and the shovels, and the mizrakot. And Churam finished the melachah that he was to make for Melech Sh’lomo for the Beis HaElohim,

¹² The two Ammudim, and the bases, and the capitals which were on the top of the two Ammudim, and the two nettings to cover the two bases of the capitals which were on the top of the Ammudim;

¹³ And four hundred pomegranates on the two nettings; two rows of pomegranates on each netting, to cover the two bases of the capitals which were upon the Ammudim.

¹⁴ He made also stands, and kiyyorot made he upon the stands,

¹⁵ One Yam, and twelve bakar under it.

¹⁶ The sirot also, and the shovels, and the mizlagot, and all their instruments, did Churam Aviv make for Melech Sh’lomo for the Bais Hashem of nechoshet maruk.

¹⁷ In the plain of Yarden did HaMelech cast them, in the avi ha’adamah between Sukkot and Tzeredatah.

¹⁸ Thus Sh’lomo made all these vessels in great abundance, for the weight of the nechoshet could not be found out.

¹⁹ And Sh’lomo made all the vessels that were for the Beis HaElohim, the Mizbe’ach HaZahav also, and the Shulchanot whereon the Lechem HaPanim was set;

²⁰ Moreover the Menorot with their nerot (lamps), that they should burn as prescribed before the Devir, of zahav sagur;

²¹ And the flowers [see Ex.25:31], and the nerot (lamps), and the tongs, he made of zahav, and that perfect zahav;

²² And the snuffers, and the basins, and the ladles, and the firepans, of zahav sagur; and the Petach (Doorway) the Beis, the Daltot HaPenimiyyot (Inner Doors) thereof for the Kodesh HaKadashim, and the Daltot HaBeis laHeikhal, were of zahav.

5 Thus all the melachah (work) that Sh’lomo made for the Beis Hashem was completed; and Sh’lomo brought in all the things that Dovid Aviv had dedicated as kodesh; and the kesef, and the zahav, and all the articles, he put among the otzerot of the Bais HaElohim.

² Then Sh’lomo gathered unto Yerushalayim the Ziknei Yisroel, and kol Rashei HaMattot (all the Heads of the Tribes), the Nesi’ei HaAvot (Family Chiefs) of the Bnei Yisroel, to bring up the Aron Brit Hashem out of Ir Dovid, which is Tziyon.

³ Kol Ish Yisroel assembled themselves unto the Melech in the Chag (Feast, i.e., Sukkot) which was in the seventh month [Tishri].

⁴ And all the Ziknei Yisroel came; and the Levi’im took up the Aron.

⁵ And they brought up the Aron, and the Ohel Mo’ed and kol Klei HaKodesh (all the Holy Articles) that were in the Ohel, these did the Kohanim and the Levi’im bring up.

⁶ Also HaMelech Sh’lomo, and Kol Adat Yisroel that were assembled unto him before the Aron, sacrificed tzon and bakar, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

⁷ And the Kohanim brought in the Aron Brit Hashem unto its makom (place), to the Devir HaBeis, into the Kodesh HaKadoshim, even under the wings of the Keruvim;

⁸ For the Keruvim spread forth their wings over the place of the Aron, and the Keruvim covered over the Aron and the carrying poles thereof.

⁹ And they drew out the poles of the Aron, that the ends of the poles were seen from the Aron before the Devir; but they were not seen from the outside. And there it is unto this day.

¹⁰ There was nothing in the Aron except the two Luchot which Moshe put therein at Chorev, when Hashem made a Brit with the Bnei Yisroel, when they came out of Mitzrayim.

¹¹ And it came to pass, when the Kohanim were come out of the Kodesh (for all the Kohanim that were present were set apart as kodesh, and the divisions were not observed;

¹² Also the Levi’im which were the meshorarim (singers), all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Yedutun, with their banim and their achim, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and lyres and kinnorot (harps), stood at the east of the Mizbe’ach, and with them a hundred and twenty Kohanim sounding trumpets:

¹³ It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and meshorarim were as one, making kol echad (one voice, one sound) to be heard in praising and thanking Hashem; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and musical instruments, and praised Hashem, saying, Ki tov ki l’olam chasdo (For He is good; for His mercy endureth forever), that then the Beis was filled with an anan, even the Beis Hashem,

¹⁴ So that the Kohanim could not stand to minister by reason of the anan; for the Kavod Hashem had filled the Beis HaElohim [see Ac chps 1-2]. [T.N. See 1C 3:16-17 regarding the Messianic fulfillment of 1Chr 6:9]

6 Then said Sh’lomo, Hashem hath said that He would dwell in a dark cloud.

² But I have built Thee a lofty Beis, even a place for Thee to dwell olamim.

³ And HaMelech turned his face, v’yevarech at kol Kehal Yisroel, and all the Kehal Yisroel stood.

⁴ And he said, Baruch Hashem Elohei Yisroel, Who hath with His hands fulfilled that which He spoke with His mouth to Dovid Avi, saying,

⁵ Since HaYom when I brought forth Ami out of Eretz Mitzrayim I chose no city among all the Shivtei Yisroel to build a Bais in, that Shmi might be there; neither chose I any ish to be a Nagid over Ami Yisroel,

⁶ But I chose Yerushalayim, that Shmi might be there; and chose Dovid to be over Ami Yisroel.

⁷ Now it was in the levav Dovid Avi to build a Bais for the Shem of Hashem Elohei Yisroel.

⁸ But Hashem said to Dovid Avi, Because it was in levavcha to build a Bais for Shmi, thou didst well in that it was in levavcha.

⁹ Nevertheless thou shalt not build HaBeis; but bincha (your Son) which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build HaBeis for Shmi.

¹⁰ Hashem therefore hath performed His Devar that He hath spoken; for I am risen up after Dovid Avi, and I sit on the kisse Yisroel, just as Hashem promised, and I built HaBeis for the Shem of Hashem Elohei Yisroel.

¹¹ And in it have I put the Aron, wherein is the Brit Hashem that He cut with the Bnei Yisroel.

¹² And he stood before the Mizbe’ach Hashem in front kol Kehal Yisroel, and spread forth his hands;

¹³ For Sh’lomo had made a kiyyor nechoshet (bronze platform) five cubits long, and five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the Azarah [see 4:9], and upon it he stood, and knelt down upon his knees before kol Kehal Yisroel, and spread forth his hands toward Shomayim.

¹⁴ And said, Hashem Elohei Yisroel, ein kmocha Elohim (there is no G-d like Thee) in Shomayim, nor in Ha’aretz; shomer HaBrit, who showest chesed unto Thy avadim, that walk before Thee with all their hearts.

¹⁵ Thou which has been shomer over Thy eved Dovid Avi over that which Thou hast promised him; and spoke with Thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with Thine hand, as it is this day.

¹⁶ Now therefore, Hashem Elohei Yisroel, be shomer over Dovid Avi to keep that which Thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee an ish in My sight to sit upon the Kisse Yisroel; if only Banecha are shomer over their way to walk in My torah, as thou hast walked before Me.

¹⁷ Now then, Hashem Elohei Yisroel, let Thy Davar come true, which Thou hast spoken unto Thy eved Dovid.

¹⁸ But will Elohim really dwell with HaAdam on ha’aretz? Hinei, Shomayim and the Shmei HaShomayim cannot contain Thee; how much less this Beis which I built!

¹⁹ Yet give attention to the tefillah of Thy eved, and to his techinnah (supplication), O Hashem Elohai, to pay heed unto the cry and the tefillah which Thy eved prayeth before Thee;

²⁰ That Thine eyes may be open toward this Beis yomam valailah, toward the makom (place) whereof Thou hast said that Thou wouldest put Shimcha there; to pay heed unto the tefillah which Thy eved prayeth toward this makom.

²¹ Pay heed therefore unto the tachanunei Avdecha (suppplications of Thy servant), and of Thy people Yisroel, which they shall daven toward this place; hear Thou from Thy dwelling place, even from Shomayim; and when Thou hearest, salachta (forgive).

²² If an ish sin against his neighbor, and he is made to swear under oath and he swears an oath before Thine Mizbe’ach in this Beis,

²³ Then hear Thou from Shomayim, and act, and judge Thy avadim, by requiting the guilty, by recompensing his way upon his own rosh; and by justifying the tzaddik, by giving him according to his tzedakah.

²⁴ And if thy people Yisroel be defeated before the oyev (enemy), because they have sinned against Thee; and shall return and confess Shmecha, and pray and make techinnah before Thee in this Beis,

²⁵ Then hear Thou from Shomayim, and forgive the sin of Thy people Yisroel, and bring them back to HaAdamah which Thou gave to them and to Avoteichem.

²⁶ When Shomayim is shut up, and there is no matar (rain), because they have sinned against Thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess Shmecha, and turn from their sin, when Thou dost afflict them;

²⁷ Then hear Thou from Shomayim, and forgive the sin of Thy avadim, and of Thy people Yisroel, when Thou hast taught them the Derech HaTovah, wherein they should walk; and send matar upon Thy land, which Thou hast given unto Thy people for a nachalah.

²⁸ If there be ra’av (hunger, famine) in the land, if there be dever, if there be blight, or mildew, locust, or grasshopper; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever nega or machalah there be,

²⁹ Then what tefillah or what techinnah soever shall be made of kol ha’adam, or of all Thy people Yisroel, when every one shall know his own nega and his own pain, and shall spread forth his hands in this Beis,

³⁰ Then hear Thou from Shomayim Thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose lev Thou knowest; (for Thou only knowest the hearts of the Bnei HaAdam),

³¹ That they may fear Thee, to walk in Thy ways, so long as they live in HaAdamah which Thou gavest unto Avoteinu.

³² Also concerning the nokhri, who is not of Thy people Yisroel, but is come from a far country for the sake of Shimcha Hagadol, Thy yad hachazakeh, and Thy zero’a stretched out; if they come and pray toward this Beis,

³³ Then hear Thou from Shomayim, even from Thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the nokhri calleth for to Thee, that kol Amei Ha’aretz may know Shmecha, and fear Thee, as doth Thy people Yisroel, and may know that this Beis which I have built is called by Shimcha.

³⁴ If Thy people go out to milchamah against their enemies by the derech that Thou shalt send them, and they pray unto Thee toward this city which Thou hast chosen, and the Beis which I have built for Shmecha,

³⁵ Then hear Thou from Shomayim their tefillah and their techinnah, and uphold their mishpat.

³⁶ If they sin against Thee, (for there is no adam which sinneth not), and Thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captive unto an Eretz rechokah or kerovah,

³⁷ Yet if they change in their heart in the land where they are carried captive, and repent and supplicate unto Thee in the land of their captivity, saying, Chatanu (we have sinned), he’evnu (we have done wrong), and rashanu (we acted wickedly);

³⁸ If they return to Thee with all their lev and with all their nefesh in the land of their captivity, where they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which Thou gavest unto Avotam, and toward HaIr which Thou hast chosen, and toward the Beis which I have built for Thy Shem,

³⁹ Then hear Thou from Shomayim, even from Thy dwelling place, their tefillah and their techinnah, and uphold their mishpat, and forgive Thy people which have sinned against Thee.

⁴⁰ Now, Elohai, may Thine eyes be open, and let Thine ears be attentive unto the tefillah that is davened in this place.

⁴¹ Now therefore arise, Hashem Elohim, into Thy resting place, Thou, and the Aron of Thy might; let Thy Kohanim, Hashem Elohim, be clothed with Teshu’ah, and let Thy Chasidim rejoice in goodness.

⁴² Hashem Elohim, turn not away the face of Thine Moshiach. Remember the Chasdei Dovid Avdecha.

7 Now when Sh’lomo had made an end of davening, the eish came down from Shomayim, and consumed the olah and the zevakhim; and the kavod Hashem filled HaBeis.

² And the Kohanim could not enter into the Beis Hashem, because the kavod Hashem had filled the Beis Hashem.

³ And when all the Bnei Yisroel saw how the eish came down, and the kavod Hashem upon HaBeis, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the ritzpah (floor, pavement) and worshiped, and gave thanks to Hashem, saying, Ki tov ki l’olam chasdo (For He is good; for His mercy endureth forever).

⁴ Then HaMelech and kol HaAm offered zevach before Hashem.

⁵ And HaMelech Sh’lomo offered zevach of 22,000 bakar, and 120,000 tzon; so HaMelech and kol HaAm dedicated the Beis HaElohim.

⁶ And the Kohanim stood at their mishmerot (watches); the Levi’im also with kelei shir Hashem, (musical instruments of Hashem) which Dovid HaMelech had made to give thanks to Hashem‖ki l’oham chasdo (for His mercy endureth forever)‖whenever Dovid praised by their means; and the Kohanim sounded khatzotzrot (trumpets) opposite them, and kol Yisroel stood.

⁷ Moreover Sh’lomo set apart as kodesh the toch hekhatzer (center of the courtyard) that was in front of the Beis Hashem; for there he offered HaOlot and the chelvei hashelamim (fat of peace offerings), because the Mizbe’ach hanechoshet which Sh’lomo had made was not able to receive the Olot, and the Mincha, and HaChalavim (the fats).

⁸ Also at the same time Sh’lomo kept the Chag (see v. 9) shivat yamim, and kol Yisroel with him, a Kahal Gadol Me’od, from the Levo (Approach) Chamat unto the Wadi Mitzrayim.

⁹ And on the Yom HaShemini they held an Atzeret (solemn assembly); for they kept the chanukat HaMizbe’ach (dedication of the altar, i.e., the Beis Hamikdash) shivat yamim, and the chag [Sukkot] shivat yamim.

¹⁰ And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent HaAm away into their ohalim joyful and tovei lev for the goodness that Hashem had showed unto Dovid, and to Sh’lomo, and to Yisroel His Am.

¹¹ Thus Sh’lomo finished the Beis Hashem, and the Beis HaMelech; and all that came into the lev Sh’lomo to do in the Beis Hashem, and in his own palace, he prosperously effected.

¹² And Hashem appeared to Sh’lomo balailah, and said unto him, I have heard thy tefillah, and have chosen this makom for Myself for a Beis Zevach.

¹³ When I shut up Shomayim that there be no matar, or when I command the locusts to devour HaAretz, or when I send dever among Ami (My People)

¹⁴ If Ami, which are called by Shmi, shall humble themselves, and daven, and seek my face, and turn from their derakhim hara’im (wicked ways), then will I hear from Shomayim, and will forgive their chattat, and will heal their land.

¹⁵ Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attentive unto the tefillah that is made in Makom HaZeh.

¹⁶ For now have I chosen and set apart as kodesh HaBeis HaZeh, that Shmi may be there ad olam, and Mine eyes and Mine lev shall be there kol hayamim.

¹⁷ And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before Me, as Dovid Avicha walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe My chukkot and My mishpatim;

¹⁸ Then will I establish the kisse of thy Malchut, just as I have covenanted with Dovid Avicha, saying, Lo yikaret lecha ish moshel b’Yisroel.

¹⁹ But if ye turn away, and forsake My chukkot and My mitzvot, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve elohim acherim, and worship them,

²⁰ Then will I uproot them out of My Adamah which I have given them; and HaBeis HaZeh, which I have set apart as kodesh for Shmi, will I cast out of My sight, and will make it to be a Mashal (byword) and an object of ridicule among Kol haAmim.

²¹ And HaBeis HaZeh, which is elyon, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath Hashem done thus unto HaAretz HaZot, and unto HaBeis Hazeh?

²² And it shall be answered, Because they forsook Hashem Elohei Avoteihem, Who brought them forth out of Eretz Mitzrayim, and they laid hold on elohim acherim, and worshiped them, and served them; therefore hath He brought all this ra’ah upon them.

8 And it came to pass at the end of esrim shanah, wherein Sh’lomo had built the Beis Hashem, and his own bais (palace),

² That the cities which Churam had restored to Sh’lomo, Sh’lomo rebuilt them, and caused the Bnei Yisroel to dwell there.

³ And Sh’lomo went to Chamat Tzovah, and captured it.

⁴ And he built Tadmor in the midbar, and all the storage towns, which he built in Chamat.

⁵ Also he rebuilt Upper Beit Choron, and Lower Beit Choron, fortified cities, with walls, gates, and bars,

⁶ And Ba’alat, and all the storage towns that Sh’lomo had, and all the towns for the chariots, and the towns for the parashim (horsemen, cavalry) all the cheshek Sh’lomo (desire of Solomon) that he desired to build in Yerushalayim, and in the Levanon, and throughout all the eretz of his Memshalet.

⁷ As for kol haAm that were left of the Chitti, and HaEmori, and the Perizzi, and the Chivi, and the Yevusi, who were not of Yisroel,

⁸ From their banim, who were left after them in HaAretz, whom the Bnei Yisroel consumed not, them did Sh’lomo conscript for forced labor until yom hazeh.

⁹ But of the Bnei Yisroel did Sh’lomo make no avadim for his melachah; for they were anshei milchamah, and commanders of his officers, and commanders of his chariots and parash.

¹⁰ And these were the chief of the officials of Sh’lomo HaMelech, even two hundred and fifty, that exercised authority over HaAm.

¹¹ And Sh’lomo brought up the Bat Pharaoh out of Ir Dovid unto the palace that he had built for her, for he said, Isha li (wife for me) shall not dwell in the Bais Dovid Melech Yisroel, because the places whereunto the Aron Hashem hath come are Kodesh.

¹² Then Sh’lomo offered up Olot unto Hashem on the Mizbe’ach Hashem, which he had built before the Ulam,

¹³ Even according to the requirement of each day on its day, offering according to the mitzvat Moshe, on the Shabbatot, and on Rosh Chodesh, and on the Mo’adot, three times in the year, even in the Chag HaMatzot, and in the Chag HaShavuot, and in the Chag HaSukkot.

¹⁴ And he appointed, according to the mishpat Dovid Aviv, the machlekot (divisions) of the Kohanim to their avodah service, and the Levi’im to their mishmerot (watches), to praise and minister before the Kohanim, as the requirement of every yom required; the Sho’arim (Gatekeepers) also by their machlekot (divisions) at every sha’ar; for thus was the mitzvot Dovid Ish HaElohim.

¹⁵ And they deviated not from the mitzvat HaMelech unto the Kohanim and Levi’im concerning any matter, or concerning the otzarot.

¹⁶ Now all the work of Sh’lomo was carried out from the yom musad (day of the foundation) of the Beis Hashem until its completion. So the Beis Hashem was perfected.

¹⁷ Then went Sh’lomo to Etzyon-Gever, and to Eilat, on the seacoast of Eretz Edom. [T.N. See Ep 2:20 in connection with the musad (foundation in 2Chr 8:16) where the OJBC speaks about Shluchim and Nevi’im and Moshiach as the Rosh Pinah]

¹⁸ And Churam sent him by the hands of his avadim oniyot, and avadim that were experienced seamen; and they went with the avadim of Sh’lomo to Ophir, and took from there four hundred and fifty talents of zahav, and brought them to Sh’lomo HaMelech.

9 And when the Malkat Sheva (Queen of Sheba) heard of the fame of Sh’lomo, she came to test Sh’lomo with chidot (hard questions, riddles) at Yerushalayim, with a very great caravan, and camels that carried spices, and zahav in abundance, and precious stones; and when she was come to Sh’lomo, she communed with him of all that was in her levav.

² And Sh’lomo gave answer to all her questions; and there was nothing hid from Sh’lomo which he explained not to her.

³ And when the Malkat Sheva had seen the Chochmat Sh’lomo, and HaBais (the Palace) that he had built,

⁴ And the ma’akhal (food) of his shulchan, and the moshav of his avadim, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his aliyah (ascent) by which he went up to the Beis Hashem; there was no more ruach in her.

⁵ And she said to HaMelech, Emes was the davar (report) which I heard in mine own country about thine acts, and of thy chochmah;

⁶ Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and, hinei, the one half of the greatness of thy chochmah was not told me, for thou exceedest the report that I heard.

⁷ Ashrei are thy anashim, and ashrei are these thy avadim, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy chochmah.

⁸ Baruch Hashem Eloheicha Who delighted in thee to set thee on His kisse, to be Melech for Hashem Eloheicha, because Eloheicha loved Yisroel, to establish them l’olam, therefore He made thee Melech over them, to maintain Mishpat and Tzedakah.

⁹ And she gave HaMelech a hundred and twenty talents of zahav, and spices in great abundance, and precious stones; neither was there ever any such spice as the Malkat Sheva gave Sh’lomo HaMelech.

¹⁰ And the avadim also of Churam, and the avadim of Sh’lomo, which brought zahav from Ophir, brought atzei algummim (algum trees) and precious stones.

¹¹ And HaMelech made of the atzei algummim steps for the Beis Hashem, and for the Beis HaMelech, and kinnorot and nevalim for the musicians; and there were none such seen before in the Eretz Yehudah.

¹² And Sh’lomo HaMelech gave to Malkat Sheva all her chefetz, whatsoever she asked, beside such that she had brought unto HaMelech. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her avadim.

¹³ Now the weight of zahav that came to Sh’lomo in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of zahav;

¹⁴ Besides that which traders and merchants brought. And all the melachim of Arabia and governors of the country brought zahav and kesef to Sh’lomo.

¹⁵ And Melech Sh’lomo made 200 shields of hammered zahav; 600 measures of hammered zahav went to one shield.

¹⁶ And 300 moginnim he made of hammered zahav; 300 measures of zahav went to one mogen. And HaMelech put them in Beis Ya’ar HaLevanon (House of the Forest of Levanon).

¹⁷ Moreover HaMelech made a kisse shen gadol (great ivory throne) and overlaid it with zahav tahor.

¹⁸ And there were six steps to the kisse, with a kevesh (ramp) of zahav, which was attached to the kisse, and arms on each side of the seat, and two aroyot (lions) standing by the armrests;

¹⁹ And 12 aroyot stood there on the one side and on the other upon 6 steps. There was nothing like it made for any other mamlechah.

²⁰ And all the kelei mashkeh (drinking vessels) of Sh’lomo HaMelech were of zahav, and all the kelei Beis Ya’ar HaLevanon were of pure zahav; none were of kesef; it [silver] was not accounted as anything in the days of Sh’lomo.

²¹ HaMelech had a fleet of oniyyot that went to Tarshish with the avadim of Churam. Once every three years came the oniyyot Tarshish bringing zahav, and kesef, ivory, and monkeys, and peacocks.

²² And Sh’lomo HaMelech surpassed all the Malkhei HaAretz in riches and chochmah.

²³ And all the Malkhei Ha’Aretz sought the presence of Sh’lomo, to hear his chochmah, that HaElohim had put in his lev.

²⁴ And they brought every ish his minchah (present), kelei kesef, kelei zahav, and clothing, weapons, and spices, susim, and peradim (mules), at a set rate.

²⁵ And Sh’lomo had four thousand stalls for susim and markovot (chariots), and twelve thousand parashim whom he kept in the chariot cities, and with HaMelech at Yerushalayim.

²⁶ And he reigned over all the melachim from the River [i.e., the Euphrates] even unto the Eretz Pelishtim, and to the border of Mitzrayim.

²⁷ And HaMelech made kesef in Yerushalayim as common as stones, and cedar trees he made like sycamore trees that are in the Shefelah in abundance.

²⁸ And they imported unto Sh’lomo susim out of Mitzrayim, and from all the lands.

²⁹ Now the rest of the Divrei Sh’lomo, harishonim and ha’acharonim, are they not written in the Divrei Natan HaNavi, and in the Nevu’at Achiyah the Shiloni, and in the chazot Yadai HaChozer against Yarov’am ben Nevat?

³⁰ And Sh’lomo reigned in Yerushalayim over kol Yisroel arba’im shaneh.

³¹ And Sh’lomo slept with Avotav, and he was buried in Ir Dovid Aviv. And Rechav’am Bno reigned in his place.

10 And Rechav’am went to Shechem, for to Shechem were kol Yisroel come to make him melech.

² And it came to pass, when Yarov’am ben Nevat, who was in Mitzrayim, where he fled from the presence of Sh’lomo HaMelech heard it, that Yarov’am returned out of Mitzrayim.

³ And they sent and called him. So Yarov’am and kol Yisroel came and spoke to Rechav’am, saying,

⁴ Avicha made our ol (yoke) kasheh (difficult, harsh); now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous avodas Avicha, and his heavy ol (yoke i.e., taxes, see verse 18) that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.

⁵ And he said unto them, Shuvu (come back, return) unto me after shloshet yamin. And HaAm departed.

⁶ And HaMelech Rechav’am took counsel with the Zekenim that had stood before Sh’lomo Avi while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to HaAm HaZeh?

⁷ And they spoke unto him, saying, If thou be kind to HaAm HaZeh, and please them, and speak devarim tovim to them, they will be thy avadim kol hayamim (all the days).

⁸ But he forsook the Atzat HaZekenim they gave him, and took counsel with the yeladim that were brought up with him, that stood before him.

⁹ And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to HaAm HaZeh, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat haOl that Avicha did put upon us?

¹⁰ And the yeladim that grew up with him spoke unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer HaAm that spoke unto thee, saying, Avicha made our ol (yoke) heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger is thicker than the loins of Avi.

¹¹ For whereas Avi put an ol kaved (a heavy yoke) upon you, I will add more to your ol (yoke). Avi chastised you with shotim (whips), but I will chastise you with akrabim (scorpions).

¹² So Yarov’am and kol HaAm came to Rechav’am on the Yom HaShelishi, as HaMelech said, Shuva (return) to me on the Yom HaShelishi.

¹³ And HaMelech answered them kashah (harshly); and HaMelech Rechav’am forsook the Atzat HaZekenim,

¹⁴ And answered them after the Atzat HaYeladim, saying, Avi made your ol (yoke) heavy, but I will add thereto; Avi chastised you with shotim (whips), but I will chastise you with akrabim (scorpions).

¹⁵ So HaMelech paid heed not unto HaAm, for the nesibah (turn of events, circumstance) was of HaElohim, that Hashem might perform His Devar, which He spoke by the yad Achiyah HaShiloni to Yarov’am ben Nevat. [1Kgs 11:29-39]

¹⁶ And when kol Yisroel saw that HaMelech would not pay heed unto them, HaAm answered HaMelech, saying, What chelek have we in Dovid? We have none nachalah in Ben Yishai. Every ish to your ohalim, O Yisroel; and now, Dovid, see to thine own Bais. So kol Yisroel went to their ohalim.

¹⁷ But as for the Bnei Yisroel that dwelt in the towns of Yehudah, Rechav’am reigned over them.

¹⁸ Then HaMelech Rechav’am sent Hadoram [I Kgs 12:18 "Adoram"] who was over the mas (tax, tribute); and the Bnei Yisroel stoned him with stones, that he died. But HaMelech Rechav’am made speed to get up into his merkavah, to escape to Yerushalayim.

¹⁹ And Yisroel rebelled against the Bais Dovid unto Hayom Hazeh.

11 And when Rechav’am was come to Yerushalayim, he gathered of the Bais Yehudah and Binyamin a hundred and fourscore thousand bachur oseh milchamah (chosen men, which were warriors), to make war against Yisroel, that he might restore the mamlachah to Rechav’am.

² But the Devar Hashem came to Shemayah the Ish HaElohim, saying,

³ Speak unto Rechav’am ben Sh’lomo Melech Yehudah, and to kol Yisroel in Yehudah and Binyamin, saying,

⁴ Thus saith Hashem, Ye shall not go up, nor make war against your achim. Shuvu (return) every ish to his bais, for this thing is done from Me. And they obeyed the divrei Hashem, and returned back from going against Yarov’am.

⁵ And Rechav’am dwelt in Yerushalayim, and built arim lematzor (cities for defense) in Yehudah.

⁶ He built even Beit-Lechem, and Eitam, and Tekoa,

⁷ Bei-Tzur, Socho, Adulam,

⁸ Gat, Mareshah, Ziph,

⁹ And Adorayim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

¹⁰ And Tzorah, and Ayalon, and Chevron, which are in Yehudah and in Binyamin arei metzurot (fortified cities).

¹¹ And he fortified the metzurot (fortifications), and put negidim (rulers) in them, and otzerot ma’achal (storage places of food), and of shemen and yayin.

¹² And in all the cities he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Yehudah and Binyamin on his side.

¹³ And the Kohanim and the Levi’im that were in kol Yisroel availed themselves to him from all their territories.

¹⁴ For the Levi’im abandoned their commonlands and their achuzzah (possession, estate) and came to Yehudah and Yerushalayim; for Yarov’am and his banim had cast them off from executing the office of Kohen unto Hashem.

¹⁵ And he ordained him kohanim for the high places, and for the se’irim (goat idols, demons) and for the agalim (calf idols) which he had made.

¹⁶ And after them from all the Shivtei Yisroel such as set their hearts to seek Hashem Elohei Yisroel came to Yerushalayim, to sacrifice unto Hashem Elohei Avoteihem.

¹⁷ So they strengthened the Malchut Yehudah, and made Rechav’am ben Sh’lomo strong, shanim shalosh. For shanim shalosh they walked in the Derech Dovid u’Sh’lomo.

¹⁸ And Rechav’am took him Machalat bat Yerimot Ben Dovid as isha, and Avichayil bat Eliav ben Yishai,

¹⁹ Which bore him banim: Yeush, and Shemaryah, and Zaham.

²⁰ And after her he took Ma’achah bat Avshalom, who bore him Aviyah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shlomit.

²¹ And Rechav’am loved Ma’achah bat Avshalom more than any of his nashim and his pilagshim; (for he took eighteen nashim, and threescore pilagshim, and fathered twenty and eight banim, and threescore banot.)

²² And Rechav’am made Aviyah ben Ma’achah the rosh, to be nagid among his achim, for he intended to make him melech.

²³ And he acted wisely, and dispersed kol banim of him throughout all the lands of Yehudah and Binyamin, unto all of the arei hametzurot (fortified cities); and he gave them mazon (provision, food) in abundance. And he took for them many wives.

12 And it came to pass, when Rechav’am had established the malchut, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the Torat Hashem, and kol Yisroel with him.

² And it came to pass, that in the shanah hachamishit of Melech Rechav’am Shishak Melech Mitzrayim came up against Yerushalayim, because they were unfaithful to Hashem,

³ With 1200 chariots, and 60,000 parashim, and troops without number that came with him out of Mitzrayim, the Luvim, the Sukkiim, and the Cushim.

⁴ And he captured the arei hametzurot (fortified cities) which are of Yehudah, and came as far as Yerushalayim.

⁵ Then came Shemayah HaNavi to Rechav’am, and to the Sarim of Yehudah, that were assembled in Yerushalayim because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith Hashem, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also abandoned you in the yad Shishak.

⁶ Whereupon the Sarim (princes) of Yisroel and HaMelech humbled themselves; and they said, Tzaddik Hashem.

⁷ And when Hashem saw that they humbled themselves, the Devar Hashem came to Shemayah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some peleitah (deliverance, rescue); and My chamah (anger, wrath) shall not be poured out upon Yerushalayim by the yad Shishak.

⁸ Nevertheless they shall be his avadim; that they may differentiate My avodah, and the avodat mamlechut of the lands.

⁹ So Shishak Melech Mitzrayim came up against Yerushalayim, and carried away the otzerot of the Beis Hashem, and the otzerot Bais HaMelech. He took all; he carried away also the moginei hazahav (shields of gold) which Sh’lomo had made.

¹⁰ Instead of which HaMelech Rechav’am made moginei nechoshet, and committed them to the hands of the commanders of the guard, the Shomrim who kept the Petach Bais Hamelech.

¹¹ And as often as HaMelech entered into the Beis Hashem, the guard came and got the shields, and afterward brought them again into the guardroom.

¹² And when he humbled himself, the Af Hashem turned from him, that He would not destroy him altogether; and also in Yehudah things went well.

¹³ So HaMelech Rechav’am strengthened himself in Yerushalayim, and reigned; for Rechav’am was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Yerushalayim, HaIr that Hashem had chosen out of all the Shivtei Yisroel, to put Shmo there. And the shem immo was Na’amah HaAmmonit.

¹⁴ And he did rah, because he set not his lev to seek Hashem.

¹⁵ Now the acts of Rechav’am, harishonim and ha’acharonim, are they not written in the Divrei Shemayah HaNavi, and of Iddo HaChozer with genealogies? And there were milchamot between Rechav’am and Yarov’am continually.

¹⁶ And Rechav’am slept with Avotav, and was buried in Ir Dovid; and Aviyah bno reigned in his place.

13 Now in the eighteenth year of Melech Yarov’am began Aviyah to reign over Yehudah.

² He reigned 3 shanim in Yerushalayim. And the shem immo was Michayah bat Uriel of Giveah. And there was milchamah between Aviyah and Yarov’am.

³ And Aviyah led the milchamah with an army of gibborei milchamah, even 400 elef ish bachur. Yarov’am also drew up for milchamah against him with 800 elef ish bachur, gibbor chayil.

⁴ And Aviyah stood up upon Mt Tzemarayim, which is in the hill country of Ephrayim, and said, Hear me, thou Yarov’am, and kol Yisroel.

⁵ Ought ye not to know that Hashem Elohei Yisroel gave the Mamlachah over Yisroel to Dovid l’olam (forever), even to him and to his banim by a Brit Melach [see Num 18:19]?

⁶ Yet Yarov’am ben Nevat eved Sh’lomo ben Dovid is risen up, and hath rebelled against Adonav.

⁷ And there are gathered unto him anashim rekim, the Bnei Beliyaal, and have strengthened themselves against Rechav’am ben Sh’lomo, when Rechav’am was na’ar and rakh levav (fainthearted), and could not withstand them.

⁸ And now ye think to withstand the Mamlechet Hashem in the yad Bnei Dovid; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you eglei zahav, which Yarov’am made you for elohim.

⁹ Have ye not cast out the Kohanim of Hashem, the Bnei Aharon, and the Levi’im, and have made you kohanim after the manner of the peoples of other lands? So whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bull and 7 rams, the same may be a kohen of them that are no elohim.

¹⁰ But as for us, Hashem is Eloheinu, and we have not forsaken Him, and the Kohanim, mesharetim unto Hashem, are the Bnei Aharon, and the Levi’im do their work;

¹¹ And they burn unto Hashem baboker baboker and baerev baerev olot and ketoret sammim; the array of lechem is also set in order upon the shulchan hatahor; and the menorah hazahav with the nerot thereof is lit erev ba’erev, for we are the Shomrim of the Mishmeret Hashem Eloheinu; but ye have forsaken Him.

¹² And, hinei, HaElohim Himself is with us as Rosh, and His Kohanim have their chatzotzerot to sound the alarm against you. O Bnei Yisroel, fight ye not against Hashem Elohei Avoteichem; for ye shall not prosper.

¹³ But Yarov’am caused a ma’arav to come about behind them so that they were before Yehudah, and the ma’arav was behind them.

¹⁴ And when Yehudah turned, hinei, the milchamah was before and behind, and they cried unto Hashem, and the Kohanim sounded the battle trumpets.

¹⁵ Then the Ish Yehudah gave a shout, and as the Ish Yehudah shouted, it came to pass, that HaElohim routed Yarov’am and kol Yisroel before Aviyah and Yehudah.

¹⁶ And the Bnei Yisroel fled before Yehudah, and Elohim delivered them into their yad.

¹⁷ And Aviyah and his army slaughtered them with a makkah rabbah (great slaughter); so there fell down slain of Yisroel five hundred thousand ish bachur.

¹⁸ Thus the Bnei Yisroel were subdued at that time, and the Bnei Yehudah prevailed, because they relied upon Hashem Elohei Avoteihem.

¹⁹ And Aviyah pursued after Yarov’am, and took cities from him: Beit-El with the towns thereof, and Yeshanah with the villages thereof, and Ephrayim with the villages thereof.

²⁰ Neither did Yarov’am recover ko’ach again in the days of Aviyah; and Hashem struck him, and he died.

²¹ But Aviyah grew strong, and married fourteen nashim, and fathered twenty and two banim, and sixteen banot.

²² And the rest of the acts of Aviyah, and his deeds, and his words, are written in the Midrash HaNavi Iddo.

14 ^(13:23) So Aviyah slept with Avotav, and they buried him in Ir Dovid, and Asa bno reigned in his place. In his days HaAretz was at peace eser shanim.

^2 (14:1) And Asa did that which was hatov and yashar in the eyes of Hashem Elohav;

^3 (14:2) For he took away the mizbechot hanekhar (foreign altars), and the high places, and smashed the matzevot, and cut down the Asherim;

^4 (14:3) And commanded Yehudah to seek Hashem Elohei Avoteihem, and to observe the Torah and the Mitzvah.

^5 (14:4) Also he took away out of all the towns of Yehudah the high places and the chammanim (sun-pillar idols); and the mamlachah was at peace under him.

^6 (14:5) And he built arei metzurah in Yehudah; for HaAretz was at peace, and he had no milchanah in those years, because Hashem had given him rest.

^7 (14:6) Therefore he said unto Yehudah, Let us build up these cities, and make about them chomah, and migdalim, gates, and bars. HaAretz is yet before us, because we have sought Hashem Eloheinu, we have sought Him, and He hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.

^8 (14:7) And Asa had an army of men that bore shields and spears, out of Yehudah three hundred thousand; and out of Binyamin, that bore mogen and drew keshet (bow), two hundred and fourscore elef; all these were gibborei chayil.

^9 (14:8) And there came out against them Zerach HaCushi with a host of elef alafim, and three hundred merkavot; and came as far as Mareshah.

^10 (14:9) Then Asa went out against him, and they took up position for the milchamah in the valley of Zephatah at Mareshah.

^11 (14:10) And Asa cried unto Hashem Elohav, and said, Hashem, there is none besides Thee to help, whether with rav, or with them that have no ko’ach. Help us, Hashem Eloheinu, for we rely on Thee; in Shimecha we go against this multitude. Hashem Thou art Eloheinu; let no enosh prevail against Thee.

^12 (14:11) So Hashem struck down HaCushim before Asa, and before Yehudah, and HaCushim fled.

^13 (14:12) And Asa and HaAm that were with him pursued them as far as Gerar, and HaCushim fell, until they could not survive, for they were crushed before Hashem, and before His Machaneh. They carried off very much plunder.

^14 (14:13) And they destroyed all the towns around Gerar; for the Pachad Hashem fell upon them, and they plundered all the towns, for there was exceeding much booty in them.

^15 (14:14) They attacked also the ohalim of herdsmen, and carried off tzon and gemalim in abundance, and returned to Yerushalayim.

15 And the Ruach Elohim came upon Azaryahu ben Oded;

² And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and kol Yehudah and Binyamin. Hashem is with you, while ye be with Him; if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you.

³ Now for yamim rabbim Yisroel hath been without the Elohei Emes, and without a Kohen Moreh, and without Torah.

⁴ But when they in their tzoros did turn unto Hashem Elohei Yisroel, and sought Him, He was found by them.

⁵ And in those times there was no shalom to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but mehumot rabbot (great turmoil) was upon all the inhabitants of the lands.

⁶ And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city, for Elohim did trouble them with every tzuris.

⁷ Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak, for there is sachar (reward) for your pe’ulah (work).

⁸ And when Asa heard these words, and the nevu’ah of Oded HaNavi, he took courage, and put away the shikkutzim (abominable idols) from kol Eretz Yehudah and Binyamin, and from the cities which he had captured from Mt Ephrayim, and renewed the Mizbe’ach Hashem, that was in front of the Ulam Hashem.

⁹ And he gathered all Yehudah and Binyamin, and the gerim with them from Ephrayim and Menasheh, and from Shim’on, for they fell to him from Yisroel in abundance, when they saw that Hashem Elohav was with him.

¹⁰ So they gathered themselves together at Yerushalayim in the chodesh hashelishi, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

¹¹ And they offered unto Hashem on that day, of the plunder which they had brought back, 700 bakar and 7000 tzon.

¹² And they entered into the Brit to seek Hashem Elohei Avoteihem with all their lev and with all their nefesh;

¹³ That whosoever would not seek Hashem Elohei Yisroel should be put to death, whether katan or gadol, whether ish or isha.

¹⁴ And they swore unto Hashem with a kol gadol, and with teruah, and with trumpets, and with shoferot.

¹⁵ And all Yehudah rejoiced at the shevu’ah, for they had sworn with all their lev, and sought Him with their whole ratzon; and He was found by them; and Hashem gave them rest all around.

¹⁶ And also concerning Ma’achah em Asa HaMelech, he deposed her from being gevirah, because she had made to Asherah a mifletzet, and Asa cut down her mifletzet, and ground it up, and burned it at the Wadi Kidron.

¹⁷ But the high places were not removed from Yisroel; nevertheless the levav Asa was shalem all his days.

¹⁸ And he brought into the Beis HaElohim the things that Aviv had dedicated as kodesh, and that he himself had dedicated as kodesh, kesef, and zahav, and kelim.

¹⁹ And there was no more milchamah unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.

16 In the six and thirtieth year Malchut Asa (of the reign of Asa) Ba’asha Melech Yisroel went up against Yehudah, and fortified Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to the territory of Asa Melech Yehudah.

² Then Asa brought out kesef and zahav out of the otzarot of the Beis Hashem and of the Bais HaMelech, and sent to Ben-Hadad Melech Aram (Syria), the one ruling in Damascus, saying,

³ There is a brit between me and thee, as there was between Avi and Avicha. Hinei, I have sent thee kesef and zahav; come, break thy brit with Ba’asha Melech Yisroel, that he may withdraw from me.

⁴ And Ben-Hadad paid heed unto HaMelech Asa, and sent the officers of his forces against the cities of Yisroel, and they struck down Iyon, and Dan, and Abel Mayim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali.

⁵ And it came to pass, when Ba’asha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.

⁶ Then Asa HaMelech took all Yehudah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Ba’asha was building; and he built therewith Geva and Mitzpah.

⁷ And at that time Chanani HaRo’eh came to Asa Melech Yehudah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on Melech Aram, and not relied on Hashem Eloheicha, therefore is the army of Melech Aram escaped out of thine yad.

⁸ Were not the Cushim and the Luvim a huge army, with very many chariots and parashim? Yet, because thou didst rely on Hashem, He delivered them into thine yad.

⁹ For the eyes of Hashem run to and fro kol HaAretz, to strengthen them whose lev is shalem (wholehearted) toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; therefore from henceforth thou shalt have milchamot.

¹⁰ Then Asa was wroth with the ro’eh, put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of HaAm at the same time.

¹¹ And, hinei, the acts of Asa, harishonim and ha’acharonim, see, they are written in the Sefer HaMelachim Yehudah and Yisroel.

¹² And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his malchut (reign) became diseased in his raglayim, until his disease was exceedingly great. Yet even in his disease he sought not Hashem, but only the rofe’im.

¹³ And Asa slept with his Avotav, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

¹⁴ And they buried him in his own kever (sepulchre, burial cave), which he had cut for himself in Ir Dovid, and laid him on a mishkav (bed) which was filled with sweet spices and perfumes prepared by the apothecaries art; and they burned for him a very large serefah gedolah (great fire, pyre).

17 And Yehoshaphat bno reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Yisroel.

² And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Yehudah, and set netzivim (garrisons) in Eretz Yehudah, and in the towns of Ephrayim, which Asa Aviv had captured.

³ And Hashem was with Yehoshaphat, because he walked in the darkhei Dovid Aviv harishonim, and sought not unto Ba’alim;

⁴ But sought Hashem Elohei Aviv, and walked in His mitzvot, and not after the ma’asei Yisroel.

⁵ Therefore Hashem established the Mamlachah in his yad; and all Yehudah brought to Yehoshaphat minchah; and he had osher and kavod in abundance.

⁶ And his lev was elevated in the darkhei Hashem; moreover he removed the high places and Asherim from Yehudah.

⁷ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his sarim (officials), even to Ben-Chayil, and to Ovadyah, and to Zecharyah, and to Netanel, and to Michayahu, to teach in the cities of Yehudah.

⁸ And with them he sent Levi’im, even Shemayahu, and Netanyahu, and Zevadyahu, and Asahel, and Shemiramot, and Yehonatan, and Adoniyahu, and Tuviyahu, and Tov Adoniyah, Levi’im; and with them Elishama and Yehoram, Kohanim.

⁹ And they taught in Yehudah, and had with them the Sefer Torat Hashem, and went about throughout all the cities of Yehudah, and taught HaAm.

¹⁰ And the Pachad Hashem fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were surrounding Yehudah, so that they made no war against Yehoshaphat.

¹¹ Also some of the Pelishtim (Philistines) brought Yehoshaphat minchah, and kesef massa (tribute); and the Arabs brought him tzon, seven thousand seven hundred rams, and seven thousand seven hundred goats.

¹² And Yehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built in Yehudah fortresses and storage cities.

¹³ And he had melachah rabbah in the cities of Yehudah; and the anshei milchamah, gibborei chayil were in Yerushalayim.

¹⁴ And these are the pekuddat (enrollment numbers) of them according to the Bais Avoteihem: of Yehudah, the sarei alafim; Adnah HaSar, and with him gibborei chayil three hundred elef.

¹⁵ And next to him was Yehochanan HaSar, and with him two hundred and fourscore elef.

¹⁶ And next to him was Amasyah ben Zichri, who volunteered unto Hashem, and with him two hundred elef gibbor chayil.

¹⁷ And from Binyamin, Elyada a gibbor chayil, and with him armed men with keshet and mogen two hundred elef.

¹⁸ And next to him was Yehozavad, and with him a hundred and fourscore elef battle-ready.

¹⁹ These waited on HaMelech, beside those whom HaMelech put in the fortified cities throughout all Yehudah.

18 Now Yehoshaphat had osher and kavod in abundance, and allied himself with Ach’av.

² And l’ketz shanim he went down to Ach’av in Shomron. And Ach’av killed tzon and bakar for him in abundance, and for HaAm that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramot Gil’ad.

³ And Ach’av Melech Yisroel said unto Yehoshaphat Melech Yehudah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramot Gil’ad? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the milchamah.

⁴ And Yehoshaphat said unto the Melech Yisroel, Inquire, now at the Devar Hashem today.

⁵ Therefore the Melech Yisroel gathered together of nevi’im four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to war against Ramot Gil’ad, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for HaElohim will deliver it into the yad HaMelech.

⁶ But Yehoshaphat said, Is there not here a navi of Hashem, that we might inquire of him?

⁷ And the Melech Yisroel said unto Yehoshaphat, There is yet ish echad (one man), by whom we may inquire of Hashem, but I hate him because he never prophesied for tov about me, but always ra’ah; the same is Mikhay’hu ben Imla. And Yehoshaphat said, HaMelech should not say that.

⁸ And the Melech Yisroel called for one of his officials, and said, Bring at once Mikhay’hu ben Imla.

⁹ And the Melech Yisroel and Yehoshaphat Melech Yehudah sat either of them on his kisse, clothed in their begadim, and they sat in the goren (threshing floor) at the petach (entrance) Sha’ar Shomron; and all the nevi’im prophesied before them.

¹⁰ And Tzidkiyahu ben Kena’anah had made him karnayim of barzel, and said, Thus saith Hashem, With these thou shalt gore Aram (Syria) until they be consumed.

¹¹ And all the nevi’im prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramot Gil’ad, and be victorious, for Hashem shall deliver it into the yad HaMelech.

¹² And the malach that went to call Mikhay’hu spoke to him, saying, Hinei, the divrei hanevi’im declare tov to HaMelech with peh echad (one mouth); let thy word therefore, now, be like one of theirs, and speak thou tov.

¹³ And Mikhay’hu said, As Hashem liveth, only what Elohai saith, that will I speak.

¹⁴ And when he was come to HaMelech, HaMelech said unto him, Mikhay’hu, shall we go to war against Ramot Gil’ad, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and be victorious, and they shall be delivered into your yad.

¹⁵ And HaMelech said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the emes to me in the Shem of Hashem?

¹⁶ Then he said, I saw kol Yisroel scattered upon the mountains, like tzon that have no ro’eh, and Hashem said, These have no adonim; let them return therefore every ish to his bais in shalom.

¹⁷ And the Melech Yisroel said to Yehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy tov unto me, but rah?

¹⁸ Again he said, Therefore hear the Devar Hashem: I saw Hashem sitting upon His Kisse, and all Tzva HaShomayim standing on his right and on his left.

¹⁹ And Hashem said, Who shall entice Ach’av Melech Yisroel, that he may go up and fall at Ramot Gil’ad? And one spoke saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

²⁰ Then there came out a ruach, and stood before Hashem, and said, I will entice him. And Hashem said unto him, How?

²¹ And he said, I will go out, and be a ruach sheker (lying spirit) in the mouth of all his nevi’im. And Hashem said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also succeed; go out, and do even so.

²² Now therefore, hinei, Hashem hath put a ruach sheker in the mouth of these thy nevi’im, and Hashem hath decreed ra’ah against thee.

²³ Then Tzidkiyahu ben Kena’anah came near, and struck Mikhay’hu upon the lechi (cheek), and said, Which way went the Ruach Hashem from me to speak unto thee?

²⁴ And Mikhay’hu said, Thou shalt find out on that yom when thou shalt go into cheder b’cheder (inner chamber) to hide thyself.

²⁵ Then the Melech Yisroel said, Take ye Mikhay’hu, and carry him back to Amon Sar HaIr, and to Yoash ben HaMelech,

²⁶ And say, Thus saith HaMelech, Put this in the bais hakeleh, and feed him with only a scanty prison diet of lechem and only mayim, until I return b’shalom.

²⁷ And Mikhay’hu said, If thou certainly return in shalom, then hath not Hashem spoken by me. And he said, Mark words, all ye people.

²⁸ So the Melech Yisroel and Yehoshaphat Melech Yehudah went up to Ramot Gil’ad.

²⁹ And the Melech Yisroel said unto Yehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and I will go to the milchamah; but put thou on thy robes. So the Melech Yisroel disguised himself; and they went to the milchamah.

³⁰ Now Melech Aram had commanded the commanders of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with katon or gadol, only with the Melech Yisroel.

³¹ And it came to pass, when the commanders of the chariots saw Yehoshaphat, that they said, It is the Melech Yisroel. Therefore they surrounded him to fight, but Yehoshaphat cried out, and Hashem helped him; and Elohim moved them away from him.

³² For it came to pass, that, when the commanders of the chariots perceived that it was not Melech Yisroel, they turned back from pursuing him.

³³ And an ish drew a keshet at random, and struck Melech Yisroel between the devakim (joints) of the shiryon (armor); therefore he said to his chariot driver, Turn thine yad, that thou mayest take me out of the machaneh, for I am wounded.

³⁴ And the milchamah increased that day. Howbeit the Melech Yisroel propped himself up in his merkavah facing Aram (the Syrians) until the erev; and about the time of the shemesh going down he died. [T.N. This story illustrates the great difficulty in being a preacher that people will listen to: they want to hear what they want to hear, and, being set in their ways, have decided to mold the House of G-d to their stubbornness, rather than change or grow in the L-rd]

19 And Yehoshaphat Melech Yehudah returned to his Bais (Palace) in shalom in Yerushalayim.

² And Yehu ben Chanani HaChozer (the Seer) went out to meet him, and said to HaMelech Yehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the rasha, and love them that hate Hashem? Therefore ketzef (wrath) is upon thee from before Hashem.

³ Nevertheless there are devarim tovim (good things) found in thee, in that thou hast removed HaAsherot from HaAretz, and hast prepared thine lev to seek HaElohim.

⁴ And Yehoshaphat dwelt in Yerushalayim; and he went out again among HaAm from Beer Sheva to Mt Ephrayim, and he turned them back unto Hashem Elohei Avoteihem.

⁵ And he appointed Shofetim in HaAretz throughout all the fortified cities of Yehudah, city by city,

⁶ And said to the Shofetim, Take heed what ye do, for ye judge not for adam, but for Hashem, Who is with you in the devar mishpat (verdict).

⁷ Wherefore now let the Pachad Hashem be upon you; be shomer and do it, for there is no avlah (injustice) with Hashem Eloheinu, nor massa panim (respect of persons), nor mikkach shochad (taking of bribes).

⁸ Moreover in Yerushalayim did Yehoshaphat station Levi’im, and Kohanim, and Rashei HaAvot Yisroel, for the Mishpat Hashem, and for riv (disputes), and they returned to Yerushalayim.

⁹ And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the yirat Hashem, be’emunah and with a levav shalem.

¹⁰ And what riv soever shall come before you of your achim that dwell in your cities, between dahm and dahm, between torah and mitzvah, chukkot and mishpatim, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against Hashem, and so ketzef (wrath) come upon you, and upon your achim; this do, and ye shall not trespass.

¹¹ And, hinei, Amaryahu Kohen HaRosh is over you in all matters of Hashem; and Zevadyahu ben Yishmael, the Nagid of the Bais Yehudah, for all the matters of HaMelech; also the Levi’im shall be shoterim (officers) before you. Deal courageously, and Hashem be with hatov.

20 It came to pass after this also, that the Bnei Moav, and the Bnei Ammon, and with them some Ammonim, came against Yehoshaphat to make milchamah.

² Then there came some that told Yehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the Yam (Dead Sea), from Aram; and, hinei, they are in Chatzatzon-Tamar, which is Ein-Gedi.

³ And Yehoshaphat feared, and set his face to inquire of Hashem, and proclaimed a tzom throughout all Yehudah.

⁴ And Yehudah gathered themselves together, to ask help of Hashem, even from all the towns of Yehudah they came to seek help of Hashem.

⁵ And Yehoshaphat stood in the Kehal Yehudah and Yerushalayim, in the Beis Hashem, before the khatzer hachadashah,

⁶ And he said, Hashem Elohei Avoteinu, art not Thou Elohim in Shomayim? And moshel (rulest) not Thou over kol mamlechot haGoyim? And in Thine yad is there not ko’ach and gevurah, so that none is able to withstand thee?

⁷ Art not Thou Eloheinu, Who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before Thy people Yisroel, and gavest it to the Zera Avraham ohav’cha l’olam (Thy friend forever)?

⁸ And they dwelt therein, and have built Thee a Mikdash therein for Thy Shem, saying,

⁹ If, when ra’ah cometh upon us, as the cherev, shefot, or dever, or ra’av (famine), we stand before HaBeis HaZeh, and in Thy presence, (for Thy Shem is in HaBeis HaZeh,) and cry unto Thee in tzarateinu (our affliction), then Thou wilt hear and save.

¹⁰ And now, hinei, the Bnei Ammon and Moav and Mt Seir, whom Thou wouldest not let Yisroel invade, when they came out of Eretz Mitzrayim, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not,

¹¹ Hinei, what gomelim (ones repaying) they are to us, to come to drive us out of Thy yerushah (inheritance), which Thou hast given us.

¹² O Eloheinu, wilt Thou not judge them? For we have no ko’ach against this great multitude that cometh against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon Thee.

¹³ And all Yehudah stood before Hashem, with their little ones, their nashim, and their banim.

¹⁴ Then upon Yachziel ben Zecharyahu ben Benayah ben Ye’i’el ben Matanyah, a Levi of the Bnei Asaph, came the Ruach Hashem in the midst of the Kahal,

¹⁵ And he said, Pay heed ye, all Yehudah, and ye inhabitants of Yerushalayim, and thou Melech Yehoshaphat. Thus saith Hashem unto you: Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the milchamah is not yours, but that of Elohim.

¹⁶ Makhar (tomorrow) go ye down against them; hinei, they come up by the Ascent of Tzitz; and ye shall find them at the end of the wadi, before the midbar of Yeruel.

¹⁷ Ye shall not need to fight in this; take up your battle positions, stand ye firm, and see the Yeshuat Hashem with you, O Yehudah and Yerushalayim. Fear not, nor be dismayed; makhar (tomorrow) go out against them, for Hashem will be with you.

¹⁸ And Yehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Yehudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim fell down before Hashem, worshiping Hashem.

¹⁹ And the Levi’im, of the Bnei HaKehatim, and of the Bnei HaKorchim, stood up to praise Hashem Elohei Yisroel with an exceeding kol gadol.

²⁰ And they rose early in the boker, and went forth into the Midbar Tekoa; and as they went forth, Yehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Yehudah, and ye inhabitants of Yerushalayim. Ha’aminu BaHashem Eloheichem (Believe in Hashem Eloheichem), so shall ye be established; have faith in His Nevi’im, so shall ye be victorious.

²¹ And when he had consulted with HaAm, he appointed meshorarim (singers) unto Hashem, and that should praise the hadrat kodesh, as they went out before the army, and to say, Hodu L’Adonoi ki l’olam chasdo (Give thanks to Hashem, for His mercy endureth forever).

²² And when they began with rinnah and tehillah, Hashem set me’arevim (ambushers) against the Bnei Ammon, Moav, and Mt Seir, which were come against Yehudah, and they were struck down.

²³ For the Bnei Ammon and Moav stood up against the inhabitants of Mt Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

²⁴ And when Yehudah came toward the mitzpeh (guard tower) in the midbar, they looked toward the multitude, and, hinei, they were pegarim (corpses) fallen on the ground, and there was no escapee.

²⁵ And when Yehoshaphat and his people came to carry off the plunder of them, they found among them in abundance both property with the pegarim, and articles of value, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away, and they were yamim shelosha in gathering of the plunder, it was so much.

²⁶ And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the Berachah Valley, for there they blessed Hashem; therefore the shem of that place was called, The Berachah Valley unto this day.

²⁷ Then they returned, kol ish Yehudah and Yerushalayim, and Yehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Yerushalayim with simcha; for Hashem had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

²⁸ And they came to Yerushalayim with nevalim and kinnorot and chatzotzerot unto the Beis Hashem.

²⁹ And the Pachad Elohim was on all the kingdoms of those lands, when they had heard that Hashem fought against the oyevei Yisroel.

³⁰ So the Malchut Yehoshaphat was at peace, for Elohav gave him rest on every side.

³¹ And Yehoshaphat reigned over Yehudah. He was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Yerushalayim. And shem immo was Azuvah bat Shilchi.

³² And he walked in the derech Aviv Asa, and departed not from it, doing that which was yashar in the sight of Hashem.

³³ Howbeit the high places were not removed; for HaAm as yet had not set their hearts unto Elohei Avoteihem.

³⁴ Now the rest of the acts of Yehoshaphat, harishonim and ha’acharonim, hinei, they are written in the Annals of Yehu ben Chanani, who is recorded in the Sefer of the Melachim of Yisroel.

³⁵ And after this did Yehoshaphat Melech Yehudah join himself in alliance with Achazyah Melech Yisroel, who did very wickedly;

³⁶ And he joined himself with him to make oniyot (ships) to go to Tarshish, and they made the oniyot in Etzyon-Gever.

³⁷ Then Eliezer ben Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Yehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself in alliance with Achazyahu, Hashem hath wrecked thy ma’asim. And the oniyot were wrecked, that they were not able to sail to Tarshish. [T.N. Yehoshaphat had a weakness for entangling himself with non-believers and suffering the consequences.]

21 Now Yehoshaphat slept with his avot, and was buried with his avot in Ir Dovid. And Yehoram bno reigned in his place.

² And he had achim, the Bnei Yehoshaphat, Azaryah, and Yechiel, and Zecharyahu, and Azaryahu, and Michael, and Shephatyahu. All these were the Bnei Yehoshaphat Melech Yisroel.

³ And their av have given them mattanot rabbot of kesef, and of zahav, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Yehudah, but the Mamlachah (Kingdom) he gave to Yehoram; because he was the bechor.

⁴ Now when Yehoram was risen up to the Mamlachah of his av, he strengthened himself, and slaughtered all his achim with the cherev, and also a number of the sarim (leading political figures) of Yisroel.

⁵ Yehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned shemoneh shanim in Yerushalayim.

⁶ And he walked in the derech of the melachim of Yisroel, as did the Bais Ach’av, for he had the Bat Ach’av to wife, and he wrought that which was rah in the eyes of Hashem.

⁷ However, Hashem was not willing to destroy the Bais Dovid, for the sake of HaBrit that He had cut with Dovid, and since He promised to give a ner (lamp) to him and to his banim kol hayamim.

⁸ In the days of Yehoram, Edom rebelled from under the yad Yehudah, and made themselves a melech.

⁹ Then Yehoram went forth with his sarim (princes), and all his chariots with him, and he rose up by lailah, and struck down Edom which had surrounded him, and the commanders of the chariots.

¹⁰ So the Edomites rebelled from under the yad Yehudah unto this day. At the same time also did Livnah rebel from under his yad, because he had forsaken Hashem Elohei Avotav.

¹¹ Moreover he built high places [unlawful altars] in the mountains of Yehudah and caused the inhabitants of Yerushalayim to commit fornication, and led Yehudah astray.

¹² And there came a miktav (letter) to him from Eliyahu HaNavi, saying, Thus saith Hashem Elohei Dovid Avicha, Because thou hast not walked in the darkhei Yehoshaphat Avicha, nor in the darkhei Asa Melech Yehudah,

¹³ But hast walked in the derech of the melachim of Yisroel, and hast made Yehudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim to go awhoring, like the whoredoms of the Bais Ach’av, and also hast murdered thy achim of Bais Avicha, which were better than thee;

¹⁴ Hinei, with a maggefah gedolah (great plague) will Hashem strike thy people, and thy banim, and thy nashim, and all thy possessions;

¹⁵ And thou shalt have cholayim rabbim with machla (disease) of thy bowels, until thy bowels come out by reason of the choli yamim al yamim.

¹⁶ Moreover Hashem stirred up against Yehoram the ruach HaPelishtim, and of the Arabs, who lived near the Kushim;

¹⁷ And they came up against Yehudah, and invaded, and carried away all the possessions that were found in the Bais HaMelech, and also his banim, and his nashim; so that there was left him not a ben except Yehoachaz (Achazyahu, Ahaziah), the youngest of his banim.

¹⁸ And after all this Hashem struck him in his bowels with a choli for which there was no marpeh.

¹⁹ And it came to pass that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels protruded out by reason of his choli; so he died in great pain. And his people kindled no pyre in his honor, as they had done for his avot.

²⁰ Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Yerushalayim shemoneh shanim, and departed without chemdah (desire [for him]). Howbeit they buried him in the Ir Dovid, but not in the kevarot hamelachim.

22 And the inhabitants of Yerushalayim made Achazyahu (Ahaziah of Judah) his (i.e., Yehoram’s) youngest son melech in his place; for the troops that came with the Arabs into the machaneh had slain all the eldest. So Achazyahu (Ahaziah) ben Yehoram Melech Yehudah reigned.

² Twenty and two years old was Achazyahu (Ahaziah) when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Yerushalayim And shem immo was Atalyah bat Omri (i.e., granddaughter of Omri the father of Ahab).

³ He also walked in the darkhei Bais Ach’av (Ahab); for immo (his mother) was his counselor to do rah.

⁴ Therefore he did rah in the eyes of Hashem like the Bais Ach’av (House of Ahab); for they were his yo’atzim (counselors) after the mot (death) of his av to his (i.e., Achazyahu’s, Ahaziah’s) ruin.

⁵ He walked also after their etza (advice, counsel), and went with Yehoram ben Ach’av Melech Yisroel to war against Chatzael Melech Aram (Syria) at Ramot Gil’ad; and the Syrians wounded Yoram.

⁶ And he (Yoram) returned to Yizre’el (Jezreel) to recover from his wounds which were inflicted upon him at Ramah, when he fought with Chatzael Melech Aram. And Achazyahu (Ahaziah) ben Yehoram Melech Yehudah went down to see Yehoram ben Ach’av at Yizre’el (Jezreel), because he was wounded.

⁷ And the tevusat Achazyahu (downfall of Ahaziah) was of Elohim in coming to Yoram, for when he arrived, he went out with Yehoram against Yehu ben Nimshi, whom Hashem had anointed to cut off the Bais Ach’av (the House of Ahab).

⁸ And it came to pass, that, when Yehu was executing mishpat upon the Bais Ach’av, and found the sarei Yehudah, and the bnei achei Achazyahu that were in attendance with Achazyahu, he slaughtered them.

⁹ And he searched for Achazyahu, and they captured him while he was hiding in Shomron (Samaria), and brought him to Yehu; and when they had slain him, they buried him. Because, they said, he is a ben Yehoshaphat, who sought Hashem with all his levav. So the Bais Achazyahu had no koach to retain the mamlachah (kingdom).

¹⁰ But when Atalyah em Achazyahu saw that her son was dead, she arose and began destroying kol zera hamamlachah (all the royal seed) of the Bais Yehudah.

¹¹ But Yehoshavat Bat HaMelech, took Yoash ben Achazyahu, and stole him away from among the Bnei HaMelech that were being murdered, and put him and his nurse in a cheder hamittot (bedroom). So Yehoshavat Bat HaMelech Yehoram, the isha of Yehoyada HaKohen, (for she was the achot of Achazyahu), hid him from Atalyah, so that she slaughtered him not.

¹² And he was with them hid in the Bais Elohim shesh shanim. And Atalyah reigned over HaAretz.

23 And in the seventh year Yehoyada strengthened himself, and took the commanders of hundreds, Azaryah ben Yerocham, and Yishmael ben Yehochanan, and Azaryahu ben Oved, and Ma’aseiyahu ben Adayahu, and Elishaphat ben Zichri, into brit with him.

² And they went about in Yehudah, and gathered the Levi’im out of all the towns of Yehudah, and the Rashei HaAvot of Yisroel, and they came to Yerushalayim.

³ And Kol HaKahal made a brit with HaMelech in the Beis Elohim. And he (i.e., Kohen Gadol Yehoyada) said unto them, Hinei, the Ben HaMelech shall reign, just as Hashem hath said of the Bnei Dovid.

⁴ This is the thing that ye shall do: A third part of you coming on duty on Shabbos, of the Kohanim and of the Levi’im, shall keep watch at the doors;

⁵ And a third part shall be at the Bais HaMelech; and a third part at the Sha’ar HaYesod; and Kol HaAm shall be in the Khatzerot of the Beis Hashem.

⁶ But let none enter into the Beis Hashem, except the Kohanim, and the ministering Levi’im; they shall go in, for they are kodesh; but Kol HaAm shall be shomer over the mishmeret Hashem (the instructions of Hashem).

⁷ And the Levi’im shall surround HaMelech, every ish with his weapon in his yad; and whosoever else cometh into the Beis, he shall be put to death, but be ye with HaMelech when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.

⁸ So the Levi’im and all Yehudah did according to all things that Yehoyada HaKohen had commanded, and took every ish his men that were to go on duty on Shabbos, with them that were to go off duty on Shabbos; for Yehoyada HaKohen dismissed not the machlekot.

⁹ Moreover Yehoyada HaKohen delivered to the commanders of hundreds spears, and large shields, and small shields, that had belonged to Dovid HaMelech, which were in the Beis Elohim.

¹⁰ And he stationed kol haAm, every ish having his weapon in his yad, from the right side of the Beis to the left side of the Beis, near the Mizbe’ach and Beis , and around HaMelech.

¹¹ Then they brought out the Ben HaMelech, and put upon him the nezer, and gave him the Edut, and proclaimed him Melech. And Yehoyada and his banim anointed him, and shouted, Yechi HaMelech!

¹² Now when Atalyah heard the noise of HaAm running and cheering HaMelech, she came to HaAm into the Beis Hashem,

¹³ And she looked, and, hinei, HaMelech stood at his ammud at the entrance, and the sarim and the chatzotzerot (trumpeters) beside HaMelech; and Kol HaAm HaAretz same’ach (rejoiced), and sounded the chatzotzerot, also the meshorarim with instruments of music, and the praise leaders. Then Atalyah tore her robe, shouted, Kesher, Kesher!

¹⁴ Then Yehoyada HaKohen brought out the commanders of hundreds that were set over the army, and said unto them, Bring her out between the sederot (ranks); and whosoever followeth her, let him be put to death with the cherev. For the Kohen said, Do not put her to death in the Beis Hashem.

¹⁵ So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entrance of the Sha’ar HaSusim by the Beis HaMelech, they put her to death there.

¹⁶ And Yehoyada made a brit between him, and between Kol HaAm, and between HaMelech, that they should be Am LaHashem.

¹⁷ Then kol HaAm went to the Beis HaBa’al, and tore it down, and broke in pieces its mizbechot and its tzelem, and slaughtered Mattan Kohen HaBaal in front of the mizbechot.

¹⁸ Also Yehoyada assigned the Pekudot of the Beis Hashem by the yad of the Kohanim the Levi’im, whom Dovid had assigned in the Beis Hashem, to offer olot Hashem, as it is written in the Torat Moshe, with simcha and with shir, as it was ordained by Dovid.

¹⁹ And he set the Sho’arim at the Sha’arei Beis Hashem, that none tamei in any thing should enter in.

²⁰ And he took the commanders of hundreds, and the nobles, and the moshelim of HaAm, and Kol HaAm HaAretz, and brought down HaMelech from the Beis Hashem; and they came through the Sha’ar HaElyon into the Beis HaMelech, and seated HaMelech upon the Kisse HaMamlachah.

²¹ And kol Am HaAretz rejoiced; and the Ir was quiet after that they had put to death Atalyah with the cherev.

24 Yoash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned arba’im shanah in Yerushalayim. Shem immo also was Tzivyah of Beer Sheva.

² And Yoash did that which was yashar in the eyes of Hashem kol yemei Yehoyada HaKohen.

³ And Yehoyada took for him nashim shtayim; and he fathered banim and banot.

⁴ And it came to pass after this, that Yoash was minded to renovate the Bais Hashem.

⁵ And he called together the Kohanim and the Levi’im, and said to them, Go out unto the towns of Yehudah, and collect from Kol Yisroel kesef to repair the Bais Eloheichem annually, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levi’im hastened it not.

⁶ And HaMelech called for Yehoyada HaRosh, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levi’im to bring in from Yehudah and from Yerushalayim the mas’at (the tax of) Moshe Eved Hashem and the Kahal L’Yisroel L’Ohel HaEdut?

⁷ For the sons of that wicked woman Atalyah had broken in the Beis HaElohim; all the Kadshei Beis Hashem did they bestow upon Ba’alim.

⁸ And at the commandment of HaMelech they made aron echad and set it outside at the Sha’ar Beis Hashem.

⁹ And they made a proclamation in Yehudah and in Yerushalayim, to bring in to Hashem the mas’at Moshe Eved HaElohim laid upon Yisroel in the midbar.

¹⁰ And all the sarim and kol HaAm rejoiced, and brought in, and dropped into the aron, until it was full.

¹¹ Now it came to pass, that at what time the aron was brought unto the Pekuddat HaMelech by the yad of the Levi’im, and when they saw that there was much kesef, the Sofer HaMelech and the official, the Pakid Kohen HaRosh came and emptied the aron, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did yom b’yom, and collected kesef in abundance.

¹² And HaMelech and Yehoyada gave it to such as did the work of the Avodas Beis Hashem, and hired masons and carpenters to renovate the Beis Hashem, and also such as wrought barzel and nechoshet to repair the Beis Hashem.

¹³ So the workmen wrought, and the work in the yad of them was furthered, and they restored the Beis HaElohim to its original form and reinforced it.

¹⁴ And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the kesef before HaMelech and Yehoyada, whereof were made vessels for the Beis Hashem, even keli sharet, and for the olot, and ladles, and vessels of zahav and kesef. And they offered olot in the Beis Hashem continually all the days of Yehoyada.

¹⁵ But Yehoyada was old, and was full of yamim when he died: 130 years old was he in his mot.

¹⁶ And they buried him in Ir Dovid among the Melachim, because he had done tovah in Yisroel, both toward HaElohim, and His Beis.

¹⁷ Now after the mot Yehoyada came the sarim of Yehudah, and paid homage to HaMelech. Then HaMelech paid heed unto them.

¹⁸ And they forsook the Beis Hashem Elohei Avoteihem, and served HaAsherim and the atzabim; and ketzef (wrath) came upon Yehudah and Yerushalayim because of their trespass.

¹⁹ Yet He sent Nevi’im to them, to bring them back unto Hashem; and they testified against them; but they would not give ear.

²⁰ And the Ruach Elohim came upon Zecharyah ben Yehoyada HaKohen, which stood before HaAm and he said unto them, Thus saith HaElohim, Why transgress ye the mitzvot Hashem, that ye cannot prosper? Because ye have forsook Hashem, He hath also forsaken you.

²¹ And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the order of HaMelech in the khatzer of the Beis Hashem.

²² Thus Yoash HaMelech remembered not the chesed which Yehoyada Aviv had done to him, but slaughtered bno. And when he died, he said, May Hashem look upon it, and may He call to account.

²³ And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the army of Aram came up against him, they invaded Yehudah and Yerushalayim, destroyed all the sarim of the people from among HaAm, sent all their plunder unto Melech Darmasek (Damascus].

²⁴ For the army of Aram came with a small company of men, and Hashem delivered a very great army into their yad, because they had forsaken Hashem Elohei Avoteihem. So they executed shefatim against Yoash.

²⁵ And when they withdrew from him, (for they left him with machaluyim rabbim [many wounds]), his own avadim conspired against him on account of the dahm of the Bnei Yehoyada HaKohen, and slaughtered him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in Ir David, but they buried him not in the Kivrot HaMelachim.

²⁶ And these are they that conspired against him: Zavad ben Shim’at an Ammonit, and Yehozavad ben Shimrit the Moavit.

²⁷ Now concerning his banim, and the rav hamassa concerning him, and the repairing of the Beis HaElohim, hinei, they are written in the Midrash Sefer HaMelachim. And Amatzyah bno reigned in his place.

25 Amatzyah was 25 old when he began to reign,and he reigned 29 shanah in Yerushalayim. And shem immo was Yehoadan of Yerushalayim.

² And he did that which was yashar in the eyes of Hashem, but not with a levav shalem.

³ Now it came to pass, when the mamlachah was established under him, that he slaughtered his avadim that had murdered HaMelech Aviv.

⁴ But he slaughtered not their banim, but did as it is written in the Torah in the Sefer Moshe, where Hashem commanded, saying, The avot shall not die for the banim, neither shall the banim die for the avot, but every ish shall die for his own chet.

⁵ Moreover Amatzyahu gathered Yehudah together, and set them in order in Bais Avot by officers of thousands and officers of hundreds, throughout all Yehudah and Binyamin; and he mustered them from esrim shanah and above, and found them three hundred elef bachur, battleready choice men, that could handle spear and shield.

⁶ He hired also a hundred elef gibbor chayil out of Yisroel for a hundred talents of kesef.

⁷ But there came an Ish HaElohim to him, saying, O HaMelech, let not the Tzeva Yisroel go with thee; for Hashem is not with Yisroel, not with kol Bnei Ephrayim.

⁸ But if thou wilt go, do it; chazak (be strong) for the milchamah; HaElohim shall make thee fall before the enemy, for Elohim hath ko’ach to help, and to cast down.

⁹ And Amatzyahu said to the Ish HaElohim, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have paid for the army of Yisroel? And the Ish HaElohim answered, Hashem is able to give thee much more than this.

¹⁰ Then Amatzyahu separated them, the army that had come to him from Ephrayim, to go home again; therefore their anger was greatly kindled against Yehudah, and they returned home in chari af (great anger).

¹¹ And Amatzyahu strengthened himself, led forth his army, went to the Gey HaMelach, struck down 10,000 of the Bnei Se’ir.

¹² And another 10,000 left chayyim (alive) did the Bnei Yehudah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the cliff, and cast them down from the top of the cliff, that they all were dashed to pieces.

¹³ But the soldiers of the army which Amatzyahu sent back, that they should not go with him to milchamah, fell upon the cities of Yehudah, from Shomron even unto Beit-Choron, and struck down three thousand of them, and took much plunder.

¹⁴ Now it came to pass, after that Amatzyahu returned from the slaughter of the people of Edom, that he brought the elohei Bnei Se’ir, and set them up for him to be elohim, and bowed down himself before them, and burned ketoret unto them.

¹⁵ Therefore the Af Hashem was kindled against Amatzyahu, and he sent unto him a navi, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the elohei haAm, which could not deliver their own people out of thine yad?

¹⁶ And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that HaMelech said unto him, Art thou appointed the adviser to HaMelech? Forbear. Why shouldest thou be struck down? Then the navi forbore, and said, I know that Elohim hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not paid heed unto my etza (counsel).

¹⁷ Then Amatzyahu Melech Yehudah consulted, and sent to Yoash ben Yehoachaz ben Yehu, Melech Yisroel, saying, Come, let us meet face to face.

¹⁸ And Yoash Melech Yisroel sent to Amatzyahu Melech Yehudah, saying, The thistle that was in the Levanon sent to the cedar that was in the Levanon, saying, Give thy bat to beni (my son) as isha; then there passed by a chayyat hasadeh (wild beast) that was in the Levanon, and trode down the thistle.

¹⁹ Thou sayest, Hinei, thou hast struck down the people of Edom; and thine lev lifteth thee up to be proud. Abide now at home. Why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Yehudah with thee?

²⁰ But Amatzyah would not hear, for it came from HaElohim, that He might deliver them into the yad of their enemies, because they sought after the elohei Edom.

²¹ So Yoash Melech Yisroel went up and they met face to face, both he and Amatzyahu Melech Yehudah, at Beit Shemesh, which belongeth to Yehudah.

²² And Yehudah was routed before Yisroel, and they fled every ish to his ohel.

²³ And Yoash Melech Yisroel captured Amatzyahu Melech Yehudah ben Yoash ben Yehoachaz, at Beit Shemesh, and brought him to Yerushalayim, and broke down the Chomat Yerushalayim from the Sha’ar Ephrayim to the Sha’ar HaPinnah, a section the length of which was four hundred cubits.

²⁴ And he took all the zahav and the kesef, and all the vessels that were found in the Beis HaElohim with Oved Edom, and the otzerot Bais HaMelech, the hostages also, and returned to Shomron.

²⁵ And Amatzyahu ben Yoash Melech Yehudah lived after the mot Yoash ben Yehoachaz Melech Yisroel fifteen years.

²⁶ Now the rest of the acts of Amatzyahu, harishonim and ha’acharonim, hinei, are they not written in the Sefer of the Melachim of Yehudah and Yisroel?

²⁷ Now after the time that Amatzyah did turn away from following Hashem they made a kesher against him in Yerushalayim; and he fled to Lachish, but they sent to Lachish after him, and slaughtered him there.

²⁸ And they brought him upon susim, and buried him with Avotav in Ir Yehudah.

26 Then kol HaAm Yehudah took Uziyahu, who was sixteen years old, and made him Melech in the place of Aviv Amatzyahu.

² He built up Eilat, and restored it to Yehudah, after that HaMelech [Amatzyahu] slept with Avotav.

³ Sixteen years old was Uziyahu when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two shanah in Yerushalayim. Shem immo also was Yecholyahu of Yerushalayim.

⁴ And he did that which was yashar in the eyes of Hashem, according to all that Aviv Amatzyahu did.

⁵ And he sought Elohim in the days of Zecharyahu, who had understanding in the visions of HaElohim; and as long as he sought Hashem, HaElohim made him to have success.

⁶ And he went forth and warred against the Pelishtim (Philistines), and broke down the chomat Gat, and the chomat Yavneh, and the chomat Ashdod, and built towns near Ashdod, and among the Pelishtim (Philistines).

⁷ And HaElohim helped him against the Pelishtim (Philistines), and against the Arabs that dwelt in Gur Ba’al, and the Me’unim.

⁸ And the Amonim gave minchah to Uziyahu, and shmo spread abroad even to the approach to Mitzrayim; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.

⁹ Moreover Uziyahu built migdalim (towers) in Yerushalayim at the Sha’ar HaPinnah, and at the Sha’ar of the Gey, and at the Miktzo’a, and he fortified them.

¹⁰ Also he built migdalim in the midbar, and dug borot rabbim (many wells), for he had much livestock, both in the Shefelah (Lowlands), and in the Mishor (Plains, Level Country); ikkarim (field workers, farmers) also, and koremim (vineyard workers, vine-keepers) in the hills, and in the Carmel, for he loved adamah (the soil).

¹¹ Moreover Uziyahu had an army of fighting men that went out to tzava (battle) in troops, according to the number of their mustering by the yad Ye’i’el the Sofer and Ma’aseiyahu the Shoter (Officer), under the yad Chananyahu, one of the officials of HaMelech.

¹² The whole mispar (number) of the Rashei HaAvot over the mighty warriors were two thousand and six hundred.

¹³ And under their yad was a battle group, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made milchamah with mighty ko’ach, to help HaMelech against the enemy.

¹⁴ And Uziyahu prepared for them throughout all the army moginim (shields), and spears, and helmets, and armor, and bows, and slingstones.

¹⁵ And he made in Yerushalayim machines designed by inventive engineers, for use on the migdalim and upon the corners of the city wall, to shoot khitzim (arrows) and avanim gedolot. And shmo spread far abroad, for he was marvellously helped, until when chazak (he became powerful).

¹⁶ But when he became powerful, his lev was lifted up to his downfall, for he was unfaithful against Hashem Elohav, and he entered into the Heikhal Hashem to burn ketoret upon the Mizbe’ach HaKetoret.

¹⁷ And Azaryahu HaKohen went in after him, and with him shemonim Kohanim of Hashem, that were men of courage.

¹⁸ And they stood up against Uziyahu HaMelech, and said unto him, It is not for you, Uziyahu, to burn ketoret unto Hashem, but to the Kohanim the Bnei Aharon, that are hamekudashim (consecrated and ritually pure) to burn ketoret. Go out from the Mikdash, for thou hast been treacherous; neither shall it be for thine kavod (honor) from Hashem Elohim.

¹⁹ Then Uziyahu became angry, and had a mikteret (censer) in his yad to burn ketoret, and while he was raging with the Kohanim, the tzara’at even broke out on his metzach (forehead) before the Kohanim in the Beis Hashem, near the Mizbe’ach HaKetoret.

²⁰ And Azaryahu the Kohen HaRosh, and all the Kohanim, looked upon him, and, hinei, he was leprous on his metzach, and they thrust him out from there; yea, he himself hasted also to go out, because Hashem nun-gimmel-ayin-vav [had smitten him, afflicted him, see Isaiah 53:8, 10 where Hashem has the "nega" fall on not on this Ben Dovid Uziyahu, but on Moshiach Ben Dovid].

²¹ And Uziyahu HaMelech was metzorah (a leper) unto his yom mot, and dwelt in a leper asylum house, because of his leprosy; for he was nigzar [see Isaiah 53:8 which uses same word nigzar, "excluded," of Moshiach who was nigzar from the land of the living, meaning Moshiach died] from the Beis Hashem; and Yotam bno was over the Bais HaMelech, governing the Am HaAretz.

²² Now the rest of the acts of Uziyah, harishonim and ha’acharonim, did Yeshayahu ben Amoz, HaNavi, record.

²³ So Uziyahu slept with Avotav, and they buried him with Avotav in the sadeh hakevurah which belonged to the Melachim; for they said, He is a metzorah. And Yotam bno reigned in his place.

27 Yotam was twenty and five shanah when he began to reign, and he was king sixteen shanah in Yerushalayim. The shem immo also was Yerushah bat Tzadok.

² And he did that which was yashar (right) in the eyes of Hashem, according to all that his av Uziyah did; howbeit he entered not into the Heikhal Hashem. And the people did corruptly still.

³ He built the upper sha’ar Beis Hashem, and on the chomat Ophel he built much.

⁴ Moreover he built towns in the har Yehudah, and in the forests he built fortresses and migdalim.

⁵ He fought also with Melech Bnei Ammon, and prevailed against them. And the Bnei Ammon gave him the same year a hundred talents of kesef, and ten thousand measures of chittim (wheat), and ten thousand of se’orim (barley). The Bnei Ammon did pay this amount unto him, both the second year, and the third.

⁶ So Yotam became mighty, because he made the darkhei Yotam steadfast before Hashem Elohav.

⁷ Now the rest of the divrei Yotam, and all his milchamot, and his ways, lo, they are written in the sefer of the melachim of Yisroel and Yehudah.

⁸ He was five and twenty shanah when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen shanah in Yerushalayim.

⁹ And Yotam slept with his avot, and they buried him in Ir Dovid; and Achaz bno reigned in his place.

28 Achaz was 20 when he began to reign, and he reigned 16 years in Yerushalayim; but he did not that which was yashar in the eyes of Hashem, like Dovid Aviv,

² For he walked in the ways of the melachim of Yisroel, and made also massekhot for Ba’alim.

³ Moreover he burned ketoret in the Gey Ben Hinnom, and burned his banim in the eish, after the to’avot of the Goyim whom Hashem had driven out before the Bnei Yisroel.

⁴ He also sacrificed and burned ketoret on the high places, and on the hilltops, and under every green tree.

⁵ Therefore Hashem Elohav delivered him into the yad Melech Aram; and they defeated him, and carried off a great multitude of prisoners, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the yad Melech Yisroel, who inflicted on him makkah gedolah.

⁶ For Pekach ben Remalyahu slaughtered in Yehudah 120 elef in yom echad, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken Hashem Elohei Avotam.

⁷ And Zichri, a gibbor of Ephrayim, slaughtered Ma’aseiyahu ben HaMelech, and Azrikam the Nagid HaBais, and Elkanah Mishneh HaMelech.

⁸ And the Bnei Yisroel carried away captive of their achim 200 elef nashim, banim, and banot, and took also away much plunder from them, and carried back the plunder to Shomron.

⁹ But a navi of Hashem was there shmo Oded, and he went out before the faces of the tzava returning to Shomron, and said unto them, Hinei, because Hashem Elohei Avoteichem was angry with Yehudah, He hath delivered them into your yad, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto Shomayim.

¹⁰ And now ye intend to keep under the Bnei Yehudah and Yerushalayim for avadim and shefachot unto you, but are there not with you, even with you, sins against Hashem Eloheichem?

¹¹ Now hear me therefore, and send back the prisoners, which ye have taken captive of your achim, for the Charon Af Hashem is upon you.

¹² Then certain anashim of the Rashei Bnei Ephrayim, Azaryahu ben Yehochanan, Berechyahu ben Meshillemot, Yechizkiyahu ben Shallum, and Amasa ben Chadlai, stood up against them that came from the tzava,

¹³ And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the prisoners here; for whereas we have offended against Hashem already, ye intend to add more to chattotenu and to ashmatenu, for our guilt is great, and there is Charon Af against Yisroel.

¹⁴ So the soldiers released the prisoners and the plunder before the sarim and kol HaKahal.

¹⁵ And the men which were designated by shemot rose up, and took the prisoners, and with the plunder clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and put balm on them, and carried all the weak of them upon donkeys, and brought them to Yericho, the Ir Temarim, to their achim. Then they returned to Shomron.

¹⁶ At that time did HaMelech Achaz send unto the melachim of Assyria to help him.

¹⁷ For again the people of Edom had come and attacked Yehudah, and carried away prisoners.

¹⁸ The Pelishtim also had invaded the towns of the Shefelah, and of the Negev of Yehudah, and had taken Beit Shemesh, Ayalon, Gederot, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof, and they dwelt there.

¹⁹ For Hashem brought Yehudah low because of Achaz Melech Yisroel, for he brought disgrace to Yehudah, and acted treacherously against Hashem.

²⁰ And Tilgat Pilneser Melech Ashur came unto him, and oppressed him, but helped him not.

²¹ For Achaz took away a portion out of the Beis Hashem, and out of the Bais HaMelech, and of the sarim, and gave it unto Melech Ashur, but he helped him not.

²² And in the time of his distress he did act even more unfaithfully against Hashem. This is that Melech Achaz.

²³ For he sacrificed unto the elohei Damascus, which defeated him, and he said, Because the elohim of the melachim of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of kol Yisroel.

²⁴ And Achaz gathered together the vessels of the Beis HaElohim, and cut up the vessels of the Beis HaElohim and shut up the daletot Beis Hashem, and he set up for him mizbechot in every corner of Yerushalayim.

²⁵ And in every town in Yehudah he made high places to burn ketoret unto elohim acherim, and provoked to anger Hashem Elohei Avotav.

²⁶ Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, the rishonim and the acharonim, hinei, they are written in the Sefer of the Melachim of Yehudah and Yisroel.

²⁷ And Achaz slept with Avotav, and they buried him in the city, even in Yerushalayim, but they brought him not into the keverim of the Melachim of Yisroel. And Chizkiyah bno reigned in his place.

29 Chizkiyahu began to reign when he was 25 years old, and he reigned 29 years in Yerushalayim. And the shem immo was Aviyah bat Zecharyahu.

² And he did that which was yashar in the eyes of Hashem, according to all that Dovid Aviv had done.

³ He in the first year of his reign, in the chodesh harishon, opened the daletot Beis Hashem, and repaired them.

⁴ And he brought in the Kohanim and the Levi’im, and gathered them together into the rechov hamizrach (eastern plaza),

⁵ And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levi’im, set yourselves apart as kodesh now and consecrate the Beis Hashem Elohei Avoteichem, and remove the niddah (contamination) from HaKodesh.

⁶ For Avoteinu have been unfaithful, and have done that which is rah in the eyes of Hashem Eloheinu, have forsaken Him, have turned away their faces from the Mishkan Hashem, and to it they have turned their backs.

⁷ Also they have shut the daletot of the Ulam, and put out the nerot, and have not burned ketoret nor offered olah in HaKodesh unto Elohei Yisroel.

⁸ Therefore the wrath of Hashem was upon Yehudah and Yerushalayim, and he hath caused them to be a horror and an object of scorn and hissing, as ye see with your eyes.

⁹ For, hinei, Avoteinu have fallen by the cherev, our banim, our banot, our nashim are in captivity for this.

¹⁰ Now it is in mine lev to make a Brit with Hashem Elohei Yisroel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us.

¹¹ My banim, be not now negligent, for Hashem hath chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that ye should minister unto Him, and burn ketoret.

¹² Then the Levi’im arose: Machat ben Amasai, and Yoel ben Azaryahu, of the Bnei HaKehati; and of the Bnei Merari, Kish ben Avdi, Azaryahu ben Yehallelel; and, of the Gershoni, Yoach ben Zimmah, and Eden ben Yoach;

¹³ And of the Bnei Elitzaphan, Shimri, and Ye’i’el; and of the Bnei Asaph; Zecharyahu, and Matanyahu;

¹⁴ And of the Bnei Heman, Yechiel, and Shimei; and of the Bnei Yedutun, Shemayah, and Uzziel.

¹⁵ And they gathered their achim, and set themselves apart as kodesh, and went in, according to the mitzvat HaMelech, by the words of Hashem, to make tahor the Beis Hashem.

¹⁶ And the Kohanim went into the penimah (inner part) Beis Hashem, to make it tahor, and brought out all tumah that they found in the Heikhal Hashem into the khatzer (courtyard) of the Beis Hashem. And the Levi’im took it, to carry it outside into the Wadi Kidron.

¹⁷ Now they began on the first day of the chodesh harishon to set apart as kodesh, and on the eighth day of the month they came to the Ulam Hashem; so they set apart as kodesh the Beis Hashem in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they finished.

¹⁸ Then they went penimah to Chizkiyah HaMelech, and said, We have made tahor all the Beis Hashem, and the Mizbe’ach HaOlah, with all the vessels thereof, and the Shulchan HaMa’arechet (Table of the Stacks of Showbread), with all the vessels thereof.

¹⁹ Moreover all the kelim (vessels), which HaMelech Achaz in his reign did remove in his unfaithfulness, have we prepared and set apart as kodesh, and, hinei, they are before the Mizbe’ach Hashem.

²⁰ Then Chizkiyah HaMelech got up, and gathered the sarim of HaIr, and went up to the Beis Hashem.

²¹ And they brought seven bulls, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven male goats, for a chattat (sin offering) for the Mamlachah (Kingdom), and for the Mikdash, and for Yehudah. And he commanded the Bnei Aharon HaKohanim to offer them on the Mizbe’ach Hashem.

²² So they slaughtered the bulls, and the kohanim received the dahm, and sprinkled it on the Mizbe’ach; likewise, when they had slaughtered the rams, they sprinkled the dahm upon the Mizbe’ach; they slaughtered also the lambs, and they sprinkled the dahm upon the Mizbe’ach.

²³ And they brought forth the male goats for the chattat before HaMelech and HaKahal; and they laid their hands upon them,

²⁴ And the Kohanim slaughtered them, and they made a sin offering with their dahm upon the Mizbe’ach, to make kapporah for kol Yisroel; for HaMelech commanded that the olah (burnt offering) and the (chattat) should be made for kol Yisroel.

²⁵ And he stationed the Levi’im in the Beis Hashem with cymbals, with nevalim, and with kinnorot, according to the mitzvat Dovid, and of Gad the Chozeh HaMelech and Natan HaNavi; for so was the commandment of Hashem by His Nevi’im.

²⁶ And the Levi’im stood with the instruments of Dovid, and the Kohanim with the trumpets.

²⁷ And Chizkiyah commanded to offer the olah (burnt offering) upon the Mizbe’ach. And when the olah (burnt offering) began, the Shir Hashem began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by Dovid Melech Yisroel.

²⁸ And Kol HaKahal worshiped, and the Shir was being sung, and sounded, and all this continued until the olah was completed.

²⁹ And when it had made an end of being offered up, HaMelech and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshiped.

³⁰ Moreover Chizkiyah HaMelech and the sarim commanded the Levi’im to praise Hashem with the words of Dovid, and of Asaph the Chozeh (seer). And they sang praises with simchah, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.

³¹ Then Chizkiyah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto Hashem, come near and bring zevakhim and todot into the Beis Hashem. And the Kahal brought in zevakhim and todot; and, as many as were of a willing heart, olot (burnt offerings).

³² And the number of the olah, which the Kahal brought, was threescore and ten bulls, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs; all these were for an olah (burnt offering) to Hashem.

³³ And the kadashim were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep.

³⁴ But the Kohanim were too few, so that they could not skin all the olot; therefore their achim the Levi’im did help them, until the work was completed, and until the other Kohanim had set them apart as kodesh for the Levi’im were more yashar in lev to set themselves apart as kodesh than the Kohanim.

³⁵ And also the olah were in abundance, with the fat of the shelamim, and the nesakhim for every olah. So the Avodas Beis Hashem was set in order.

³⁶ And Chizkiyah rejoiced, and kol HaAm, that HaElohim had prepared the people, for the matter was done suddenly.

30 And Chizkiyah sent to kol Yisroel and Yehudah, and wrote iggerot also to Ephrayim and Menasheh, that they should come to the Beis Hashem at Yerushalayim, to keep the Pesach Hashem Elohei Yisroel.

² For HaMelech had conferred and agreed with his sarim, and kol HaKahal in Yerushalayim, to keep the Pesach in the second month.

³ For they could not keep it at its time, because the Kohanim had not set themselves apart as kodesh in sufficient numbers, neither had HaAm gathered themselves together to Yerushalayim.

⁴ And the thing pleased HaMelech and kol HaKahal.

⁵ So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout kol Yisroel, from Beer Sheva even to Dan, that they should come to keep Pesach unto Hashem Elohei Yisroel in Yerushalayim, for not many had kept Pesach as prescribed.

⁶ So the runners went with the iggerot from HaMelech and his sarim throughout kol Yisroel and Yehudah, and according to the commandment of HaMelech, saying, Ye Bnei Yisroel, shuvu (turn, return) unto Hashem Elohei Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yisroel, and He will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the yad of the Kings of Assyria.

⁷ And be not ye like Avoteichem, and like your achim, which were unfaithful against Hashem Elohei Avoteihem, Who therefore gave them up to a desolation, as ye see.

⁸ Now be ye not stiffnecked, as Avoteichem were, but yield yourselves unto Hashem, and come to His Mikdash, which He hath set apart as kodesh l’olam; and serve Hashem Eloheichem, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you.

⁹ For if ye turn again unto Hashem, your achim and your banim shall find rachamim before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come back into HaAretz HaZot, for Hashem Eloheichem is channun (gracious) and rachum (compassionate), and will not turn away His face from you, if ye return unto Him.

¹⁰ So the runners passed from town to town through Eretz Ephrayim and Menasheh even unto Zevulun, but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

¹¹ Nevertheless anashim of Asher and Menasheh and of Zevulun humbled themselves, and went to Yerushalayim.

¹² Also in Yehudah the Yad HaElohim was to give them lev echad to carry out the mitzvat HaMelech and of the sarim, by the word of Hashem.

¹³ And there assembled at Yerushalayim Am Rav (Much People) to keep Chag HaMatzot in the second month, a kahal larov me’od (a very great congregation).

¹⁴ And they arose and removed the mizbechot that were in Yerushalayim, and all the incense altars they took away, and threw them into the Wadi Kidron.

¹⁵ Then they slaughtered the Pesach on the fourteenth day of the second month; and the Kohanim and the Levi’im were ashamed, and they set themselves apart as kodesh, and brought olot to the Beis Hashem.

¹⁶ And they stood in their place after their prescribed manner, according to the Torat Moshe Ish HaElohim; the Kohanim sprinkled the dahm, which they received of the yad of the Levi’im.

¹⁷ For there were rabbim in HaKahal that were not set apart as kodesh; therefore the Levi’im had the charge of the shechitah (ritual slaughter) of the Pesachim for every one that was not tahor and therefore could not set them apart as kodesh unto Hashem.

¹⁸ For most of HaAm, even many of Ephrayim, and Menasheh, Yissakhar, and Zevulun, had not made themselves tahor, yet did they eat the Pesach contrary to what was written. But Chizkiyah davened for them, saying, May Hashem Hatov grant kapporah to

¹⁹ Everyone that prepareth his lev to seek HaElohim, Hashem Elohei Avotav, though he be not tahor according to the taharat HaKodesh.

²⁰ And Hashem paid heed to Chizkiyah, and healed HaAm.

²¹ And the Bnei Yisroel that were present at Yerushalayim kept the Chag HaMatzot shivat yamim with simchah gedolah; and the Levi’im and the Kohanim praised Hashem yom b’yom, singing with loud instruments unto Hashem.

²² And Chizkiyah spoke words of comfort unto all the Levi’im who taught the seichel tov of Hashem, and they did eat the mo’ed seven days, offering zivkhei shelamim, and making confession to Hashem Elohei Avoteihem.

²³ And the kol HaKahal conferred and agreed to celebrate still another shivat yamim; and they kept another shivat yamim with simcha.

²⁴ For Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah did give to the Kahal a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep; and the sarim gave to the Kahal a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep; and a great number of Kohanim set themselves apart as kodesh.

²⁵ And kol Kehal Yehudah, with the Kohanim and the Levi’im, and kol HaKahal that came out of Yisroel, and the gerim that came out of Eretz Yisroel, and that dwelt in Yehudah, rejoiced.

²⁶ So there was simchah gedolah in Yerushalayim; for since the days of Sh’lomo Ben Dovid Melech Yisroel there was not the like in Yerushalayim.

²⁷ Then the Kohanim and the Levi’im arose and blessed HaAm, and their voice was heard, and their tefillah came up to His Ma’on Kodesh, even unto Shomayim.

31 Now when all this was completed, kol Yisroel that were present went out to the towns of Yehudah, and smashed the matzevot, and cut down the Asherim, and threw down the high places and the mizbechot throughout kol Yehudah and Binyamin, in Ephrayim also and Menasheh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Bnei Yisroel returned, every ish to his achuzzah, into their own towns.

² And Chizkiyah appointed the machlekot of the Kohanim and the Levi’im after their divisions, every ish according to his avodas service, the Kohanim and Levi’im for olah and for shelamim, to minister, to give thanks, to praise in the Sh’arei Machanot Hashem.

³ A gift from HaMelech, from his own possessions, was for the olot, for the boker and erev olot, and the olot for the Shabbatot, and for Rosh Chodesh, and for the Mo’adim, as it is written in the Torat Hashem.

⁴ Moreover he commanded HaAm that dwelt in Yerushalayim to give the menat HaKohanim v’HaLevi’im (support of the Kohanim and the Levi’im), that they might strengthen themselves in the Torat Hashem.

⁵ And as soon as the devar went out, the Bnei Yisroel brought in abundance the reshit of dagan, tirosh, and yitzhar (pure olive oil), and devash, and of all the increase of the sadeh; and the ma’aser (tithe) of all things they brought in abundantly.

⁶ And concerning the Bnei Yisroel and Yehudah, that dwelt in the towns of Yehudah, they also brought in the ma’aser of bakar and tzon, and the ma’aser of kadashim which were hamekudashim (consecrated, set apart as kodesh) unto Hashem Eloheihem, and piled them in heaps.

⁷ In the chodesh hashelishi they began to lay foundations for the heaps, and completed them in the chodesh hashevi’i.

⁸ And when Chizkiyahu and the sarim came and saw the heaps, they blessed Hashem, and His Am Yisroel.

⁹ Then Chizkiyahu questioned the Kohanim and the Levi’im concerning the heaps.

¹⁰ And Azaryahu HaKohen HaRosh of the Bais Tzadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the terumah into the Beis Hashem, we have had enough to eat, and have plenty to spare, for Hashem hath blessed His people; and that which is notar (left over) is this great amount.

¹¹ Then Chizkiyahu commanded to prepare leshakhot (storerooms) in the Beis Hashem; and they prepared them,

¹² And brought in the terumah and the ma’aser and the kadashim be’emunah (faithfully), over which Conanyah the Levi was Nagid, and Shimei his brother was mishneh (second).

¹³ And Yechiel, and Azazyahu, and Nachat, and Asahel, and Yerimot, and Yozavad, and Eliel, and Yismachyah, and Machat, and Benayahu, were pekidim (overseers) under the yad Conanyah and Shimei his brother, by the command of Chizkiyahu HaMelech, and Azaryahu the nagid of the Beis HaElohim.

¹⁴ And Kore ben Imnah the Levi, the sho’er (gatekeeper) at the east, was over the nidvot HaElohim (freewill offerings of G-d), to distribute the terumat Hashem, and the kadshei hakadashim.

¹⁵ And next to him be’emunah were Eden, and Minyamin, and Yeshua, and Shemayahu, Amaryahu, and Shechanyahu, in the towns of the Kohanim, to give to their achim by machlekot, to the gadol as well as the katan.

¹⁶ This was besides those males who were recorded in the genealogical records, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the Beis Hashem for its daily duty for their avodas service in their mishmerot (watches, shifts) according to their machlekot,

¹⁷ Both to the genealogy of the Kohanim by the Bais Avoteihem, and the Levi’im from twenty years old and upward, in their mishmerot by their machlekot (divisions);

¹⁸ And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their nashim, and their banim, and their banot, throughout kol Kahal, for be’emunah (in faithfulness) they set themselves apart as kodesh in kodesh (holiness);

¹⁹ Also of the Bnei Aharon the Kohanim, which were in the pasture lands of their towns, in each town, the men that were designated by name to give manot [see 1Chr 31:4] to every zakhar among the Kohanim, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levi’im.

²⁰ And thus did Chizkiyahu throughout kol Yehudah, and wrought that which was tov and yashar and emes before Hashem Elohav.

²¹ And in every ma’aseh that he began in the Avodas Beis HaElohim, and in the Torah, and in the Mitzvah, to seek Elohav, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

32 After these things, and haemes thereof, Sancheriv (Sennacherib) Melech Assyria came, and invaded Yehudah, and laid siege against the fortified cities, and thought to conquer them for himself.

² And when Chizkiyahu saw that Sancheriv was come, and that he was purposed to make milchamah against Yerushalayim,

³ He took counsel with his sarim and his gibborim to cover over the waters of the springs [Spring of Gihon] which were outside the Ir; and they did support him.

⁴ So there was gathered Am Rav together, who covered the springs, and the wadi that flowed through the midst of HaAretz, saying, Why should the melachim of Assyria come, and find mayim rabbim?

⁵ Also he strengthened himself, and repaired all the chomah that was broken down, and raised it on the migdalot, and another chomah outside of it, and repaired Millo [terraces] in Ir Dovid, and made weapons and shields in abundance.

⁶ And he appointed sarim milchamot over HaAm, and gathered them together before him in the rechov of the Sha’ar HaIr, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying,

⁷ Chizku (be strong) and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed because of the melech Assyria, nor because of all the vast army that is with him, for there be more with us than with him.

⁸ With him is zero’a basar, but with us is Hashem Eloheinu to help us, and to fight milchamoteinu (our battles). And HaAm took heart upon the words of Chizkiyahu Melech Yehudah.

⁹ After this did Sancheriv melech Assyria send his avadim to Yerushalayim, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, with all his forces with him,) unto Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah, and unto kol Yehudah that were in Yerushalayim, saying,

¹⁰ Thus saith Sancheriv melech Assyria, Whereon do ye base confidence, that ye abide in the siege in Yerushalayim?

¹¹ Doth not Chizkiyahu mislead you to give over yourselves to die by ra’av and by tzama, saying, Hashem Eloheinu shall deliver us out of the yad Melech Assyria?

¹² Is not this the same Chizkiyah that has removed His high places and His mizbechot, and commanded Yehudah and Yerushalayim, saying, Ye shall worship before Mizbe’ach echad, and burn ketoret upon it?

¹³ Know ye not what I and avotai have done unto all the people of other lands? Were the elohei goyei ha’aratzot able to deliver their land out of mine yad?

¹⁴ Who was there among kol elohei haGoyim that avotai utterly destroyed, that could save his people out of mine yad, that Eloheichem should be able to save you out of mine yad?

¹⁵ Now therefore let not Chizkiyahu deceive you, nor mislead you on this manner, neither yet believe him, for no g-d of any goy or mamlachah was able to deliver his people out of mine yad, and out of the yad of avotai. How much less shall Eloheichem deliver you out of mine yad?

¹⁶ And his avadim spoke yet more against Hashem HaElohim, and against His eved Chizkiyahu.

¹⁷ He wrote also sefarim to blaspheme Hashem Elohei Yisroel, and to speak against Him, saying, As the elohei goyei ha’aratzot have not saved their people out of mine yad, so shall not the Elohei Chizkiyahu save his people out of mine yad.

¹⁸ Then they cried with a kol gadol in the language of the Yehudim unto the Am Yerushalayim that were on the chomah, to frighten them, and to terrorize them, that they might capture the Ir.

¹⁹ And they spoke against the Elohei Yerushalayim, as against the g-ds of the peoples of the land, which were the work of the hands of ha’adam.

²⁰ And for this cause Chizkiyahu HaMelech, and Yeshayah ben Amoz, HaNavi, davened and cried out to Shomayim.

²¹ And Hashem sent a malach, which destroyed all the fighting gibborim, and the nagid and sar in the machaneh of the melech Assyria. So he withdrew in boshet panim (shamefaced disgrace) to his own land. And when he was entered the bais elohav, they that came forth of his own loins [i.e., his sons] cut him down there with the cherev.

²² Thus Hashem saved Chizkiyahu and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim from the yad Sancheriv Melech Ashur, and from the yad of all other, and guided them on every side.

²³ And many brought minchah unto Hashem to Yerushalayim, and migdanot (expensive gifts) to Chizkiyahu Melech Yehudah, so that he was magnified in the sight of Kol HaGoyim from thenceforth.

²⁴ In those yamim Chizkiyah became ill, to the point of mot, and davened unto Hashem, and He answered him, and He gave him a mofet [see 2Kgs 20:1-11].

²⁵ But Chizkiyahu did not render back according to the benefit done unto him; for his lev was lifted up in pride; therefore there was ketzef (wrath) upon him, and upon Yehudah and Yerushalayim.

²⁶ Notwithstanding Chizkiyahu humbled himself for the pride of his lev, both he and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, so that the ketzef Hashem came not upon them in the days of Chizkiyah.

²⁷ And Chizkiyahu had exceeding much osher and kavod, and he made himself otzarot for kesef, and for zahav, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for moginim, and for all manner of valuable things;

²⁸ Silos also for the increase of dagan, and tirosh and yitzhar (pure olive oil); and stalls for the livestock, and pens for all the sheep.

²⁹ Moreover he built him towns, and possessions of tzon and bakar in abundance, for Elohim had given him wealth very much.

³⁰ This same Chizkiyahu also covered over the upper source of the Gichon Spring and tunneled it straight down to the west side of Ir Dovid. Chizkiyahu prospered in all his works.

³¹ Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the sarim of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the mofet that was done in HaAretz, HaElohim left him, to test him, that He might know all that was in his lev.

³² Now the rest of the acts of Chizkiyahu, and his acts of chesed, hinei, they are written in the Chazon Yeshayahu ben Amoz HaNavi, and in the Sefer Melachim of Yehudah and Yisroel.

³³ And Chizkiyahu slept with Avotav, and they buried him on the ascent in kivrei Bnei Dovid; and all Yehudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim did him kavod at his mot. And Menasheh bno reigned in his place.

33 Menasheh was 12 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned 55 years in Yerushalayim,

² But did that which was rah in the eyes of Hashem, like unto the to’avot HaGoyim, whom Hashem had driven out before the Bnei Yisroel.

³ For he rebuilt the high places which Chizkiyahu Aviv had demolished, erected mizbechot for Ba’alim, and made Asherot, and worshiped all the tzva HaShomayim, and served them.

⁴ Also he built mizbechot in the Beis Hashem, whereof Hashem had said, In Yerushalayim shall Shmi be forever.

⁵ And he built mizbechot for all the tzva HaShomayim in the two khatzerot (courtyards) of the Beis Hashem.

⁶ And he caused his banot to pass through the eish in the Gey Ben Hinnom; also he practiced astrology, fortunetelling, and witchcraft, and necromancy and consulted mediums and spiritists; he wrought rah in the eyes of Hashem, to provoke Him to anger.

⁷ And he set a pesel hasemel which he had made in the Beis HaElohim, of which Elohim had said to Dovid and to Sh’lomo bno, In this Beis, and in Yerushalayim, which I have chosen before all the Shivtei Yisroel, will I put Shmi forever;

⁸ Neither will I anymore remove the regel Yisroel from HaAretz which I have appointed for Avoteichem; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to kol HaTorah and the Chukkim and the Mishpatim by the yad Moshe.

⁹ So Menasheh made Yehudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim to be led astray, and to do rah more than the Goyim, whom Hashem had destroyed before the Bnei Yisroel.

¹⁰ And Hashem spoke to Menasheh, and to his people, but they would not pay heed.

¹¹ Therefore Hashem brought upon them the sarei hatzavah of Melech Ashur (Assyria), which captured Menasheh with a hunter’s hooks, and bound him with bronze shackles, and hauled him off to Babylon.

¹² And when he was in distress, he besought Hashem Elohav, and humbled himself greatly before Elohei Avotav,

¹³ And davened unto Him, and He was entreated of him, and heard his techinnah, and brought him back again to Yerushalayim into his malchut. Then Menasheh knew that Hashem hu HaElohim.

¹⁴ Now after this he rebuilt a chomah chitzonah of Ir Dovid, on the west side of Gichon, in the valley, at the approach of Sha’ar HaDagim, and encompassed the Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities of Yehudah.

¹⁵ And he removed the elohei hanekhar, and the semel (image) from the Beis Hashem, and all the mizbechot that he had built in the har of the Beis Hashem, and in Yerushalayim, and cast them outside the Ir.

¹⁶ And he rebuilt the Mizbe’ach Hashem, and sacrificed thereon zivkhei shelamim and todah, and commanded Yehudah to serve Hashem Elohei Yisroel.

¹⁷ Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, albeit unto Hashem Eloheihem.

¹⁸ Now the rest of the acts of Menasheh, and his tefillah unto Elohav, and the divrei HaChozim that spoke to him b’Shem Hashem Elohei Yisroel, hinei, they are written in the annals of the Melachim of Yisroel.

¹⁹ His tefillah also, and how He was entreated of him, and all his chattat, and his unfaithfulness, and the mekomot (sites, places) wherein he built high places, and set up Asherim and pesilim, before he was humbled; hinei, they are written among the records of Chozai.

²⁰ So Menasheh slept with Avotav, and they buried him in his own bais; and Amon bno reigned in his place.

²¹ Amon was 22 shanah when he began to reign, and reigned two shanim in Yerushalayim.

²² But he did that which was rah in the eyes of Hashem, as did Menasheh Aviv, for Amon sacrificed unto all the pesilim (idols) which Menasheh Aviv had made, and served them;

²³ And humbled not himself before Hashem, as Menasheh Aviv had humbled himself; but Amon increased more and more in ashmah.

²⁴ And his avadim made a kesher against him, assassinated him in his own bais.

²⁵ But the am ha’aretz slaughtered all them that had made the kesher against HaMelech Amon; and the am ha’aretz made Yoshiyahu (Josiah) bno Melech in his place.

34 Yoshiyahu was 8 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Yerushalayim 31 shanah.

² And he did that which was yashar in the eyes of Hashem, and walked in the ways of Dovid Aviv, and veered off neither right nor left.

³ For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet na’ar (young), he began to seek after Elohei Dovid Aviv; and in the twelfth year he began to make tahor Yehudah and Yerushalayim from the high places, and the Asherim, and the pesilim, and the massekhot (molten images).

⁴ And they demolished the mizbechot of Ba’alim in his presence; and the incense stands erected above them he smashed; and the Asherim, and the pesilim, and the massekhot he demolished and made dust of them, and scattered upon the keverim (graves) of them that had sacrificed unto them.

⁵ And he burned the atzmot of the Kohanim upon their mizbechot, and made tahor Yehudah and Yerushalayim.

⁶ And so did he in the towns of Menasheh, and Ephrayim, and Shim’on, even as far as Naphtali, and in their ruins all around.

⁷ And when he had broken down the mizbechot and the Asherim, and had beaten the pesilim into powder, and cut down all the incense stands throughout all Eretz Yisroel, he returned to Yerushalayim.

⁸ Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had made tahor HaAretz, and HaBeis, he sent Shaphan ben Atzalyahu, and Ma’aseiyahu the Sar HaIr, and Yoach ben Yo’achaz the recorder, to repair the Beis Hashem Elohav.

⁹ And when they came to Chilkiyahu the Kohen HaGadol, they delivered the kesef that was brought into the Beis Elohim, which the Levi’im, the Shomrei HaSaf (the Doorkeepers), had collected from the people of Menasheh and Ephrayim, and from kol She’erit Yisroel, and kol Yehudah and Binyamin, and they returned to Yerushalayim.

¹⁰ And they entrusted it into the yad oseh hamelachah (hand of the master workmen) that had hamufkadim (oversight) of the Beis Hashem, and they paid it to the workmen that wrought in the Beis Hashem, to repair and restore HaBeis [HaMikdash];

¹¹ Even to the charashim (craftsmen, artisans) and builders gave they it, to buy quarried stones, and timber for rafters and beams, for the buildings which the Melachim of Yehudah had destroyed.

¹² And the men did the melachah (work) be’emunah (faithfully, with integrity); and the mufkadim (overseers) of them were Yachat and Ovadyahu, the Levi’im, of the Bnei Merari; and Zecharyah and Meshullam, of the Bnei Kehati, to give oversight; and other of the Levi’im, all that were meiven (expert) in musical instruments.

¹³ Also they were over the sabalim (bearers of burdens) and the overseers of all that wrought the work in every kind of avodah; and of the Levi’im there were soferim (scribes), shoterim (officers) and sho’arim (doorkeepers).

¹⁴ And when they brought out the kesef that was brought into the Beis Hashem, Chilkiyahu HaKohen found a Sefer Torat Hashem given through Moshe.

¹⁵ And Chilkiyahu answered and said to Shaphan the Sofer, I have found the Sefer HaTorah in the Beis Hashem. And Chilkiyahu delivered the Sefer to Shaphan.

¹⁶ And Shaphan carried the Sefer to HaMelech, and brought HaMelech word back again, saying, All that was committed into the yad of avadim, they are doing.

¹⁷ And they have emptied out the kesef that was found in the Beis Hashem, and have entrusted it into the yad hamufkadim and to the yad osei hamelachah.

¹⁸ Then Shaphan the Sofer told HaMelech, saying, Chilkiyahu HaKohen hath given me a Sefer. And Shaphan read it in the presence of HaMelech.

¹⁹ And it came to pass, when HaMelech had heard the divrei HaTorah, that he tore his garments.

²⁰ And HaMelech commanded Chilkiyahu, and Achikam ben Shaphan, and Avdon ben Michah, and Shaphan HaSofer, and Asayah eved HaMelech, saying,

²¹ Go, inquire of Hashem for me, and for them that are nishar (left, remaining, the remnant) in Yisroel and in Yehudah, concerning the divrei hasefer that is found; for gadolah chamat Hashem is poured out upon us, because Avoteinu have not been shomer over the Devar Hashem, to do after all that is written in HaSefer Hazeh.

²² And Chilkiyahu, and they that HaMelech had sent, went to Chuldah the neviah, the wife of Shallum ben Tokehat ben Chasrah, Shomer HaBegadim (Keeper of the Wardrobe) (now she dwelt in Yerushalayim in the Mishneh), and they spoke to her to this effect.

²³ And she answered them, Thus saith Hashem Elohei Yisroel, Tell ye the ish that sent you to me,

²⁴ Thus saith Hashem, Hinei, I will bring ra’ah upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the alot (curses) that are written in the Sefer which they have read in the presence of Melech Yehudah,

²⁵ Because they have forsaken Me, and have burned ketoret unto elohim acherim, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore My wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.

²⁶ And as for Melech Yehudah, who sent you to inquire of Hashem, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith Hashem Elohei Yisroel concerning the words which thou hast heard;

²⁷ Because thine lev was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before Elohim, when thou heardest His words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before Me, and didst tear thy garments, and weep in My Presence, I have even heard thee also, saith Hashem.

²⁸ Hinei, I will gather thee to Avoteicha, thou shalt be gathered to thy kever in shalom, neither shall thine eyes see all ra’ah I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of it. So they brought back HaMelech word.

²⁹ Then HaMelech sent and gathered together all the Ziknei Yehudah and Yerushalayim.

³⁰ And HaMelech went up to the Beis Hashem, and kol Ish Yehudah, and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, and the Kohanim, and the Levi’im, and kol haAm, gadol and katan; and he read in their ears kol divrei Sefer HaBrit that was found in the Beis Hashem.

³¹ And HaMelech stood at his place, and cut HaBrit in the presence of Hashem, to walk after Hashem, and to be shomer over His mitzvot, and His testimonies, and His chukkot, with all his lev, and with all his nefesh, to perform the divrei HaBrit which are written in Sefer HaZeh.

³² And he caused all that being found in Yerushalayim and Binyamin to make a pledge to it. And the inhabitants of Yerushalayim did according to the Brit Elohim, Elohei Avoteihem.

³³ And Yoshiyah removed kol hato’evot out of all the territories that pertained to the Bnei Yisroel, and made all that were present in Yisroel to do avodas [kodesh] service to Hashem Eloheihem. And all his days they veered not from following Hashem, Elohei Avoteihem.

35 Moreover Yoshiyahu kept Pesach unto Hashem in Yerushalayim, and they slaughtered the Pesach on the fourteenth day of the first month.

² And he set up the Kohanim in their mishmerot, and encouraged them to the Avodas Beis Hashem,

³ And said unto the Levi’im that taught kol Yisroel, which were hakedoshim unto Hashem, Put the Aron HaKodesh in the Beis which Sh’lomo Ben Dovid Melech Yisroel did build; it shall not be a massa (burden, something carried) upon your ketefayim (shoulders); serve now Hashem Eloheichem and His people Yisroel,

⁴ And prepare yourselves by Bais Avoteichem, after your machlekot, according to the writing of Dovid Melech Yisroel, and according to the mikhtav of Sh’lomo bno.

⁵ And stand in HaKodesh according to the pelugot Bais HaAvot (groupings of families) of your achim the Bnei HaAm, and after the chalukat Bais Av (family subdivisions) of the Levi’im.

⁶ So slaughter the Pesach, and set yourselves apart as kodesh, and prepare your achim, that they may do according to the Devar Hashem by the yad Moshe.

⁷ And Yoshiyahu gave to HaAm, of the tzon, kevasim and goats, all for the Pesachim, for all that were present, to the number of 30,000 plus 3,000 bakar; these were from the property of HaMelech.

⁸ And his sarim gave linedavah (voluntarily) unto HaAm, to the Kohanim, to the Levi’im. Chilkiyah, Zecharyahu, Yechiel, negidei Beis HaElohim, gave unto the Kohanim for the Pesachim 2,600 and 300 bakar.

⁹ Conanyah also, and Shemayahu and Netanel, his achim, and Chashavyahu and Ye’i’el and Yozavad, Sarei HaLevi’im, gave unto the Levi’im for Pesachim 5,000 and 500 bakar.

¹⁰ So the Avodah (Service) was prepared, and the Kohanim stood in their place, and the Levi’im in their machlekot, according to the mitzvat HaMelech.

¹¹ And they slaughtered the Pesach, and the Kohanim sprinkled the dahm from their hands, and the Levi’im skinned them.

¹² And they removed the olah, that they might give according to the pelugot l’Bais Avot l’Bnei HaAm, to offer unto Hashem, as it is written in the Sefer Moshe. And so did they with the bakar.

¹³ And they roasted the Pesach with eish according to the mishpat; but the other kadashim they boiled in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and distributed them in haste among kol Bnei HaAm.

¹⁴ And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the Kohanim; because the Kohanim the Bnei Aharon were busied in offering olah and the chalavim (fats) until lailah; therefore the Levi’im prepared for themselves, and for the Kohanim, the Bnei Aharon.

¹⁵ And the meshorarim (singers), the Bnei Asaph, were in their place, according to the mitzvat Dovid, and Asaph, and Heman, and Yedutun, Chozeh HaMelech; and the sho’arim (gatekeepers) were at every sha’ar; neither did they need to depart from their Avodah, for their achim the Levi’im prepared for them.

¹⁶ So all the Avodas Hashem was prepared that same day, to keep the Pesach, and to offer olot upon the Mizbe’ach Hashem, according to the mitzvat HaMelech Yoshiyahu.

¹⁷ And the Bnei Yisroel that were present kept the Pesach at that time, and the Chag HaMatzot seven days.

¹⁸ And there was no Pesach like it in Yisroel from the days of Shmuel HaNavi; neither did all the Melachim of Yisroel keep such a Pesach as Yoshiyahu kept, and the Kohanim, and the Levi’im, and kol Yehudah and Yisroel that were present, and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim.

¹⁹ In the eighteenth shanah of the reign of Yoshiyahu was this Pesach kept.

²⁰ After all this, when Yoshiyahu had set in order the Beis [HaMikdash], Necho Melech Mitzrayim went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Yoshiyahu went up against him.

²¹ But he sent malachim to him, saying, Mah li valach (What have I to do with thee), thou Melech Yehudah? I come not against thee this day, but against the Bais wherewith I have war [i.e., Babylon], for Elohim commanded me to make haste; forbear thee from meddling with Elohim, Who is with me, that He destroy thee not.

²² Nevertheless Yoshiyahu would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and paid heed not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of Elohim, and went to fight in the Valley of Megiddo.

²³ And the archers shot at Melech Yoshiyahu; and HaMelech said to his avadim, Take me away; for I am badly wounded.

²⁴ His avadim therefore took him out of that merkavah, and put him in the mishneh merkavah that he had; and they brought him to Yerushalayim, and he died, and was buried in the kivrot Avotav. And all Yehudah and Yerushalayim mourned for Yoshiyahu.

²⁵ And Yirmeyahu lamented for Yoshiyahu; and all the sharim (singing men) and the sharot (singing women) commemorate Yoshiyahu in their laments to this day, and made them as chok [set custom] in Yisroel; and, hinei, they are written in HaKinot (the Laments).

²⁶ Now the rest of the acts of Yoshiyahu, and his acts of chesed, according to what is written in the Torat Hashem,

²⁷ And his deeds, harishonim and ha’acharonim, hinei, they are written in the Sefer of the Melachim of Yisroel and Yehudah.

36 Then the Am Ha’Aretz took Yehoachaz ben Yoshiyahu, and made him melech in the place of Aviv in Yerushalayim.

² Yehoachaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Yerushalayim.

³ And Melech Mitzrayim deposed him at Yerushalayim, and laid on HaAretz a tribute of a hundred talents of kesef and a talent of zahav.

⁴ And Melech Mitzrayim made Elyakim his brother melech over Yehudah and Yerushalayim, and changed shmo to Y’hoyakim. And Necho took Yehoachaz his brother, and carried him off to Mitzrayim.

⁵ Y’hoyakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Yerushalayim; and he did that which was rah in the eyes of Hashem Elohav.

⁶ Against him came up Nevuchadnetzar Melech Bavel, and bound him in bronze shackles, to carry him off to Babylon.

⁷ Nevuchadnetzar also carried off the vessels of the Beis Hashem to Babylon, and put them in his heikhal (temple) at Babylon.

⁸ Now the rest of the acts of Y’hoyakim, and his to’avot which he did, and that which was found in him, hinei, they are written in the Sefer of the Melachim of Yisroel and Yehudah; and Y’hoyakhin bno became king in his place.

⁹ Y’hoyakhin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Yerushalayim; and he did that which was rah in the eyes of Hashem.

¹⁰ And when the year was expired, HaMelech Nevuchadnetzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the kelei chemdat Beis Hashem, and made Tzidkiyahu his brother Melech over Yehudah and Yerushalayim.

¹¹ Tzidkiyah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Yerushalayim.

¹² And he did that which was rah in the eyes of Hashem Elohav, and humbled not himself before Yirmeyahu HaNavi speaking from the mouth of Hashem.

¹³ And he also rebelled against Melech Nevuchadnetzar, who had made him take an oath by Elohim, but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his lev against making teshuva unto Hashem Elohei Yisroel.

¹⁴ Moreover all the Sarei HaKohanim, and HaAm became more unfaithful, following all the to’avot HaGoyim, and they made the Beis Hashem tameh which Hashem had consecrated and set apart as kodesh in Yerushalayim.

¹⁵ And Hashem Elohei Avoteihem sent to them by His malachim, time and again; because He took pity on His people and on His Ma’on (Dwelling Place);

¹⁶ But they mocked the malachim of Elohim, and despised His words, and derided His nevi’im, until the Chamat Hashem was aroused against His people, until there was no marpeh (remedy, healing).

¹⁷ Therefore He brought upon them Melech Kasdim, who slaughtered their bochurim with the cherev in their Beis Mikdash, and had no pity upon bochur or betulah, zaken or the aged man. He gave them all into his yad.

¹⁸ And all the kelei Beis HaElohim, hagedolim and haketanim, and the otzerot of the Beis Hashem, and the otzerot HaMelech, and of his sarim; all these he brought to Babylon.

¹⁹ And they burned the Beis HaElohim, and broke down the Chomat Yerushalayim, and burned all the palaces thereof with eish, and destroyed all its precious vessels.

²⁰ And them that had escaped from the cherev carried he off to Babylon where they were avadim to him and his banim until the kingdom of Paras (Persia) began to reign;

²¹ To fulfil the Devar Hashem by the mouth of Yirmeyahu, until HaAretz had made up for its Shabbatot, for as long as she lay desolate she was shomer Shabbos, to fulfil Shivim Shanah (seventy years, see Jeremiah 25:11).

²² Now in the first year of Koresh (Cyrus) Melech Paras (Persia), that the word of Hashem spoken by the mouth of Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) might be accomplished, Hashem stirred up the ruach of Koresh Melech Paras (Persia), that he made a proclamation throughout all his Malchut, and put it also in writing, saying,

²³ Thus saith Koresh Melech Paras (Persia), Kol Mamlechot HaAretz (all the kingdoms of the earth) hath Hashem Elohei HaShomayim given me; and He hath charged me to build Him a Beis in Yerushalayim, which is in Yehudah. Who is there among you of all His people? Hashem Elohav be with him and let him go up! [T.N. The glory cloud that appears at the dedication of both the wilderness Mishkan and the Beis HaMikdash of Shlomo HaMelech is a prophetic type and foreshadow of the Moshiach and the coming sod hitgashmut (see 2Chr 5:7-14; Ex 40:34-35; Yn 1:1, 14)

1 This is the sefer toldot of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua Ben Dovid, Ben Avraham.

² Avraham, then Yitzchak, Yaakov, Yehudah and his brothers;

³ then, through Yehudah, Peretz and Zerach by Tamar; then Chetzron, Ram;

⁴ then Amminadav, Nachshon, Salmon;

⁵ then Boaz by Rachav; then Oved by Ruth, then Yishai;

⁶ then Yishai fathered Dovid HaMelech; then Shlomo by the wife of Uriyah;

⁷ then Rechavam, Aviyah, Asa,

⁸ then Yehoshafat, Yoram, Uziyahu;

⁹ then Yotam, Achaz, Chizkiyahu,

¹⁰ then Mnasheh, Amon, Yoshiyahu,

¹¹ then Ykhanyahu and his achim from the days of the Golus in Babylon.

¹² After Ykhanyahu, then Shaltiel, then Zrubavel,

¹³ then Avichud, then Elyakim, then Azur;

¹⁴ then Tzadok, then Yakhin, then Elichud;

¹⁵ then Elazar, then Mattan, then Yaakov.

¹⁶ Yaakov fathered Yosef, the baal (husband) of Miryam, from whom was born Yehoshua, who is called Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. [Yochanan 1:49]

¹⁷ So then, there were arbaa asar (fourteen) dorot (generations) from Avraham to Dovid [T.N. Dovid= DVD in Hebrew = [d = 4, v = 6, d = 4] = (4 + 6 + 4 = 14)], and there were arbaa asar dorot from Dovid to the Golus in Babylon, and there were arbaa asar dorot from the Golus in Babylon to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

¹⁸ The huledet (birth) of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was as follows. When Moshiach’s Em, Miryam, had been given in erusin to Yosef [ben Dovid], but before they came together, she was found with child through the Ruach Hakodesh.

¹⁹ Her shidduch, Yosef [ben Dovid], being a tzaddik and not wanting to humiliate her publicly, planned to deal with the get (divorce) in a private arrangement.

²⁰ Now just when Yosef [ben Dovid] had thought through to this tachlis (purpose) hinei! A malach Hashem appeared to him in a chalom, and said, Yosef ben Dovid, do not shrink from taking Miryam in nisuim (marriage) as your [basherte (destined mate) aishes chayil (virtuous woman)] kallah (bride), because what has been conceived in her is through the Ruach Hakodesh.

²¹ And she shall bear BEN (Son) and you will call SHMO (his name, Zech 6:12) YEHOSHUA (Zech 6:11-12) because he will bring his people yeshuah (rescue, salvation, deliverance) from their peyshaim (rebellions).

²² Now all this occurred so that which was spoken by Hashem through the Navi might be fulfilled,

²³ HINEI, HAALMAH HARAH VYOLEDET BEN VKARAT SHMO IMMANU-EL (Behold, the Virgin will be with child and will bear Son and will call his name Immanu-El—Isa 7:14; cf page vii), which translated means G-d is with us.

²⁴ Then Yosef [ben Dovid], rising up from sleep, did as the malach Hashem commanded him and he took his kallah.

²⁵ And Yosef [ben Dovid] did not know her until she bore BEN and Yosef [Ben Dovid] called him by name of Yehoshua [Ben Dovid][See Baba Bathra 8:6].

2 Now after Yehoshua was born in Beit-Lechem Yehudah, in the days of Herod [the Great, the Roman client] king‖hinei!‖chachamim from eretz Mizrach (the land of the East) arrived in Yerushalayim,

² saying, Where is he that is born Melech HaYehudim? For we have seen his KOCHAV (star, Num 24:17) in the Mizrach and come to fall down before him.

³ Because Herod the king heard this, he was terribly shaken, and all Yerushalayim with him.

⁴ And assembling all the Rashei Hakohanim and Sofrim of the people, he inquired of them the place where Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was to be born.

⁵ They told him, In Beit-Lechem Yehudah; because so it stands written by the Navi:

⁶ And YOU, BEIT-LECHEM, (Bethlehem, Mic 5:1[2]) in eretz Yehudah are by no means least among the shtetlach (towns) or ruling [alafim] of Yehudah; because out of you will come a Moshel (Ruler) who will be the Ro’eh Ami Yisroel.

⁷ Then Herod secretly summoned the chachamim and ascertained from them the exact date of the manifestation of the KOCHAV.

⁸ Then he sent them to Beth-Lechem, saying, Go and make a thorough search for the yeled (child); as soon as you have found him, report to me, so that I, as you, may come and fall down before him.

⁹ After they heard the king, they departed, and hinei! The KOCHAV they had seen in the Mizrach (East) was going ahead of them until it came and stood above the place where the yeled was.

¹⁰ When they saw the KOCHAV, they rejoiced with exceedingly great nachas (joy).

¹¹ And, entering the bais (house), they beheld the yeled with Miryam, his Em, and prostrated themselves before him. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

¹² And having been warned in a chalom (dream) not to return to Herod, they took refuge in their own country by another way.

¹³ And when they’d gone—hinei! –a malach Hashem appeared to Yosef [Ben Dovid] in a chalom (dream), saying, Arise, and take the yeled and his Em, and flee to Eretz Mitzrayim (Egypt), and stay there until I tell you, for Herod is about to seek the yeled to destroy him.

¹⁴ So, having got up, Yosef [ben Dovid] took the yeled, and his Em by night and departed for Eretz Mitzrayim.

¹⁵ And Yosef [ben Dovid] was there until the mot Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by Hashem through the Navi, UMIMITZRAYIM KARATI LIVNI (Out of Egypt have I called my Son, HOSHEA 11:1).

¹⁶ When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the chachamim, he was greatly enraged, and he ordered the slaughter of all the yeladim in Beit-Lechem and its vicinity who were two years old or under, in accordance with the time that he had learned from the chachamim.

¹⁷ Then came the fulfillment of what was spoken through Yirmeyah HaNavi:

¹⁸ KOL BRAMAH NISHMAH (A voice was heard in Ramah, Jer 31:14[15]), a voice of bitter weeping and mourning. Rachel is crying for her yeladim; she refuses to be comforted, because they are no more.

¹⁹ When Herod died, hinei, in Eretz Mitzrayim a malach Hashem appeared to Yosef [ben Dovid] in a chalom (dream),

²⁰ saying, Arise, and take the yeled and his Em and go to Eretz Yisroel, for those seeking the life of the yeled are dead.

²¹ And Yosef [ben Dovid] arose and took the yeled and his Em, and entered Eretz Yisroel.

²² And when Yosef [ben Dovid] heard that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as king of Yehudah, Yosef [ben Dovid] was afraid to go there. And, having been warned in a chalom, he departed into the districts of the Galil.

²³ And Yosef [ben Dovid] made his home in the shtetl (Jewish village) called Natzeret, so that which was spoken by the Neviim might be fulfilled: He will be called a Natzri [i.e., Moshiach the Netzer,Tzemach, Isa 11:1; Jer 23:5; Zech 3:8; Isa 53:2; Zech 6:11-12].

3 Now in those days Yochanan of the tevilah of teshuva appears, preaching, crying out as a maggid (preacher) [for the Moshiach] in the midbar (wilderness) of Yehudah,

² saying, Make teshuva, for the Malchut HaShomayim has come near.

³ For this [Yochanan] is the one spoken of through Yeshayah the Navi, saying, KOL KOREY BAMIDBAR (A voice of one shouting in the wilderness, Isa 40:3): Prepare the Derech Hashem (the way of the L-rd). Make his paths straight!

⁴ Now Yochanan himself had camel-hair clothing and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was arbe (locusts) and devash (wild honey).

⁵ Then all Yerushalayim and all Yehudah and the whole region of the Yarden were going out to him.

⁶ Making vidduy (confession of sin) [to Hashem] of their averos (sins), they were submitted to a tevilah (immersion) by him, using the Yarden River as a mikveh mayim (gathering of water).

⁷ But when he saw many of the Perushim and Tzedukim coming to where he was using the Yarden as a mikveh mayim, Yochanan said to them, You banim (sons) of nachashim (snakes)! Who warned you to flee from the charon af [Hashem] habah (the coming burning wrath of Hashem)?

⁸ Produce pri tov l’teshuva (fruit worthy of repentance)!

⁹ Do not presume to say to yourselves, We have the yichus (proud lineage), we have the zechut Avot (merit of the Fathers) of Avraham Avinu (our father Abraham). For I say to you that Hashem is able to raise up from these avanim (stones) banim (sons) of Avraham.

¹⁰ And already the ax is laid at the shoresh haetzim (the root of the trees); therefore, every etz not producing pri tov (good fruit) is cut down and thrown into the eish (fire).

¹¹ I give you a tevilah (immersion) in a mikveh mayim for teshuva, but Hu Habah (He who Comes; T.N. i.e., the Moshiach) after me has more chozek (strength) than me. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He will give you a tevilah (immersion) with the Ruach Hakodesh and eish (fire).

¹² The winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear out his threshing floor, and he will gather his wheat into the storehouse; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable eish (fire).

¹³ Then Yehoshua comes from the Galil to the Yarden to Yochanan, to submit to Yochanan’s tevilah.

¹⁴ But Yochanan would have deterred him, saying, I have need to submit to your tevilah [T.N. i.e., Moshiach’s tevilah], and yet you come to me?

¹⁵ But answering him, Yehoshua said, Permit it now, for thus it is proper to fulfill all Tzidkat Hashem [Dan 9:24].

¹⁶ And having received the tevilah in the Yarden’s mikveh mayim, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach immediately came up. And, hinei! The Shomayim were opened to him, and he saw the Ruach Hakodesh of Hashem descending like a yonah (dove) and coming upon him.

¹⁷ And, hinei, a bat kol (a voice from heaven) came out of Shomayim, saying, ZEH BNI AHUVI ASHER BO CHAFATZTI (This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased).

4 Then Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was led up into the midbar by the Ruach Hakodesh of Hashem to undergo nisyonos (temptations) by Hasatan.

² And, having undergone a tzom (fast) for arbaim yom varbaim lailah (forty days and forty nights), afterward Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was famished.

³ And the tempter came to him and said to him, If you are the Ben HaElohim, then speak the command that these avanim (stones) become lechem (bread).

⁴ But Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach answered, Katuv (It is written), LO AL HALECHEM LVADOH YCHEYEH HAADAM, KI AL KOL MOTZAH FI HASHEM. (Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of Hashem, Dt 8:3).

⁵ Then Hasatan takes Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach to the Ir Hakodesh (the Holy City) and set him atop the pinnacle of the Beis Hamikdash,

⁶ and says to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, If you are the Ben HaElohim, then throw yourself down, for katuv (it is written), MALACHAV YTZAV-VEH LACH (His angels he will command concerning you) and upon their hands they will lift you up lest you strike your foot against a stone, TEHILLIM 91:11,12.)

⁷ Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to Hasatan, Again, it is written, LO TENASSU ES HASHEM ELOHEICHEM (Do not test Hashem your G-d, DEVARIM 6:16).

⁸ Again, Hasatan takes Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach to a very high mountain and shows him all the mamlechot (kingdoms) of the Olam Hazeh and the kavod (glory) of them.

⁹ And Hasatan said to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, All these things I will give to you, if you will fall down VTISHTACHAVEH (and you will bow down to [DEVARIM 5:9]) me.

¹⁰ Then Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to him, Depart, Hasatan! For katuv (it is written), ES HASHEM ELOHEICHA TIRA VOTO TAAVOD (The L-rd your G-d you shall fear and Him you shall worship, DEVARIM 6:13).

¹¹ Then Hasatan leaves him, and, hinei, malachim came and attended to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

¹² Now, having heard that Yochanan was arrested, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach departed into the Galil.

¹³ And having left behind Natzeret, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach headquartered in Kfar-Nachum by the sea, in the environs of Zvulun and Naftali.

¹⁴ This was to fulfill what was spoken through Yeshayah HaNavi,

¹⁵ ARTZAH ZVULUN VARTZAH NAFTALI (To the land of Zvulun and to the land of Naftali, Isa 8:23-9:1 [9:1-2]), the way to the sea beyond the Yarden, Galil HaGoyim,

¹⁶ the people sitting in CHOSHECH RAU OHR GADOL (darkness saw a great light), YOSHVEI V’ERETZ TZALMAVET (the ones living in the land of the shadow of death), a light has dawned among them.

¹⁷ From then Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach began to proclaim, saying, LAlter LiTeshuvah (Immediate Repentance ), for the Malchut HaShomayim has come near.

¹⁸ And walking beside Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach saw two achim, Shimon, the one being called Kefa (Petros), and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea, for they were daiyagim (fishermen).

¹⁹ And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says, Come, follow me, and I will make you daiyagei adam (fishers of men).

²⁰ And immediately, leaving their nets, they followed Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

²¹ And having gone on from there, he saw two other achim, Yaakov Ben Zavdai and Yochanan his brother, in the sirah (boat) with Zavdai their father, repairing their nets, and he summoned them.

²² Immediately, leaving the sirah (boat) and their father, they followed Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach [Mt 19:29].

²³ And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach went about in all the Galil, exercising the ministry of moreh (teacher) in their shuls and of darshan (preacher) of the Besuroh Tovoh (Good Tiding of a Joyous Event), the Besuras HaGeulah (the Good News of Redemption) of the Malchut Hashem, and Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach went about bringing refuah (healing) to every disease and every illness of the people.

²⁴ And the report went out about Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach throughout all Syria; and they brought to him all the cholim (sick) with various illnesses and machalot, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics; and Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach brought them refuah.

²⁵ And from the Galil, the Decapolis, Yerushalayim, Yehudah, and Ever-HaYarden from all these places great multitudes followed him.