He captured the fortified cities of Judah and marched against Jerusalem.

King Ahasuerus then imposed forced labor on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.

“Now a word was secretly brought to me, and my ear caught a whisper of it.

“But wisdom – where can it be found? Where is the place of understanding?

“But wisdom – where does it come from? Where is the place of understanding?

He draws up drops of water; they distill the rain into its mist,

when the morning stars sang in chorus, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

For God deprived her of wisdom, and did not impart understanding to her.

Rise up and help us! Rescue us because of your loyal love!

I choose the path of faithfulness; I am committed to your regulations.

The Lord is just; he cut the ropes of the wicked.”

Bind them on your forearm; write them on the tablet of your heart.

rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, and delighting in its people.

Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life.

“Absolutely futile!” laments the Teacher, “All of these things are futile!”

Syria has plotted with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah to bring about your demise.

The one who runs away from the sound of the terror will fall into the pit; the one who climbs out of the pit, will be trapped by the snare. For the floodgates of the heavens are opened up and the foundations of the earth shake.

“Proclaim this message among the descendants of Jacob. Make it known throughout Judah.

The snorting of the enemy’s horses is already being heard in the city of Dan. The sound of the neighing of their stallions causes the whole land to tremble with fear. They are coming to destroy the land and everything in it! They are coming to destroy the cities and everyone who lives in them!”