But Pharaoh replied, “You are slackers! Slackers! That is why you are saying, ‘Let us go sacrifice to the Lord.’

If you faint in the day of trouble, your strength is small!

So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said, “A bridegroom of blood,” referring to the circumcision.)

He pours contempt on noblemen and disarms the powerful.

I will maintain my righteousness and never let it go; my conscience will not reproach me for as long as I live.

Do not be angry and frustrated! Do not fret! That only leads to trouble!

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; protect it, because it is your life.

The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.

All of their hands will hang limp; their knees will be wet with urine.

When Ish-bosheth the son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he was very disheartened, and all Israel was afraid.

But as for you, be strong and don’t get discouraged, for your work will be rewarded.”

Then the local people began to discourage the people of Judah and to dishearten them from building.

Will you never look away from me, will you not let me alone long enough to swallow my spittle?

He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”

The Lord avenges me. O Lord, your loyal love endures. Do not abandon those whom you have made!

For this reason all hands hang limp, every human heart loses its courage.

The people cry out, “We have heard reports about them! We have become helpless with fear! Anguish grips us, agony like that of a woman giving birth to a baby!

The people of Damascus will lose heart and turn to flee. Panic will grip them. Pain and anguish will seize them like a woman in labor.

The king of Babylon will become paralyzed with fear when he hears news of their coming. Anguish will grip him, agony like that of a woman giving birth to a baby.

Then there was a voice from above the platform over their heads when they stood still.