The Levites had David’s musical instruments and the priests had trumpets.

A huge crowd assembled in Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month.

I was very upset, and I threw all of Tobiah’s household possessions out of the storeroom.

The king’s attendants said to him, “It is Haman who is standing in the courtyard.” The king said, “Let him enter.”

Then King Ahasuerus responded to Queen Esther, “Who is this individual? Where is this person to be found who is presumptuous enough to act in this way?”

Esther’s command established these matters of Purim, and the matter was officially recorded.

Is not their excess wealth taken away from them? They die, yet without attaining wisdom.

he sets the lowly on high, that those who mourn are raised to safety.

He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning is brought to a quick end.

He is wise in heart and mighty in strength – who has resisted him and remained safe?

Who will contend with me? If anyone can, I will be silent and die.

Will there be an end to your windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer?

But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!

But it was he who filled their houses with good things – yet the counsel of the wicked was far from me.

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

He has searched the sources of the rivers and what was hidden he has brought into the light.

Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness.

Can you send out lightning bolts, and they go? Will they say to you, ‘Here we are’?

A psalm of David, written when he fled from his son Absalom. Lord, how numerous are my enemies! Many attack me.

You make my enemies retreat; I destroy those who hate me.