The Lord sent prophets among them to lead them back to him. They warned the people, but they would not pay attention.

King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed about this and cried out to heaven.

He appointed the priests to fulfill their duties and encouraged them to carry out their service in the Lord’s temple.

Nebuchadnezzar took some of the items in the Lord’s temple to Babylon and put them in his palace there.

Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head, and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground.

I myself have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his place of residence.

So he saves from the sword that comes from their mouth, even the poor from the hand of the powerful.

For now you have become like these streams that are no help; you see a terror, and are afraid.

If he is uprooted from his place, then that place will disown him, saying, ‘I have never seen you!’

If someone wishes to contend with him, he cannot answer him one time in a thousand.

“How much less, then, can I answer him and choose my words to argue with him!

“It is all one! That is why I say, ‘He destroys the blameless and the guilty.’

I dread all my sufferings, for I know that you do not hold me blameless.

who would take his rod away from me so that his terror would not make me afraid.

Will your idle talk reduce people to silence, and will no one rebuke you when you mock?

“But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky and they will tell you.

Why do I put myself in peril, and take my life in my hands?

Even if he slays me, I will hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face!

Look away from him and let him desist, until he fulfills his time like a hired man.

He does not expect to escape from darkness; he is marked for the sword;