The tops of the pillars were shaped like lilies. So the construction of the pillars was completed.

At that time the generals of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon marched to Jerusalem and besieged the city.

Mattithiah, a Levite, the firstborn son of Shallum the Korahite, was in charge of baking the bread for offerings.

By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.

Above the sound of the surging water, and the mighty waves of the sea, the Lord sits enthroned in majesty.

Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of those who are evil.

The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing, but the speech of the wicked is perverse.

The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly.

The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

This is the prayer of King Hezekiah of Judah when he was sick and then recovered from his illness:

He said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak my words to them.

“Son of man, turn toward Jerusalem and speak out against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel

“‘As for you, profane and wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, the time of final punishment,

“Son of man, turn toward Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.

“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and his hordes: “‘Who are you like in your greatness?

In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:

“You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has granted you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor.

In the wilderness John the baptizer began preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

“Look!” he said. “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”