Because many in the assembly had not consecrated themselves, the Levites slaughtered the Passover lambs of all who were ceremonially unclean and could not consecrate their sacrifice to the Lord.

Our adversaries also boasted, “Before they are aware or anticipate anything, we will come in among them and kill them, and we will bring this work to a halt!”

Then I said, “The thing that you are doing is wrong! Should you not conduct yourselves in the fear of our God in order to avoid the reproach of the Gentiles who are our enemies?

Our kings, our leaders, our priests, and our ancestors have not kept your law. They have not paid attention to your commandments or your testimonies by which you have solemnly admonished them.

Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage, for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so.

who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands?

you asked, ‘Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?’ But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know.

He plans ways to sin while he lies in bed; he is committed to a sinful lifestyle; he does not reject what is evil.

I have not failed to tell about your justice; I spoke about your reliability and deliverance; I have not neglected to tell the great assembly about your loyal love and faithfulness.

For they did not conquer the land by their swords, and they did not prevail by their strength, but rather by your power, strength and good favor, for you were partial to them.

For look, they wait to ambush me; powerful men stalk me, but not because I have rebelled or sinned, O Lord.

Yet he is compassionate. He forgives sin and does not destroy. He often holds back his anger, and does not stir up his fury.

Pour out your anger on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not pray to you!

Our ancestors in Egypt failed to appreciate your miraculous deeds, they failed to remember your many acts of loyal love, and they rebelled at the sea, by the Red Sea.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us! But to your name bring honor, for the sake of your loyal love and faithfulness.

Indeed, the scepter of a wicked king will not settle upon the allotted land of the godly. Otherwise the godly might do what is wrong.

May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, and do not give Jerusalem priority over whatever gives me the most joy.

If you say, “But we did not know about this,” does not the one who evaluates hearts consider? Does not the one who guards your life know? Will he not repay each person according to his deeds?

The leech has two daughters: “Give! Give!” There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, “Enough” –

But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.