Solomon ruled over all Israel from Jerusalem for forty years.

When the sacrifices were completed, the king and all who were with him bowed down and worshiped.

The proposal seemed appropriate to the king and the entire assembly.

When all this was over, the Israelites who were in the cities of Judah went out and smashed the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and demolished all the high places and altars throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. Then all the Israelites returned to their own homes in their cities.

The king summoned all the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem.

The people gave their blessing on all the men who volunteered to settle in Jerusalem.

The sum total of the Levites in the holy city was 284.

When they heard the law, they removed from Israel all who were of mixed ancestry.

Then all of Judah brought the tithe of the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil to the storerooms.

So Mordecai set out to do everything that Esther had instructed him.

While they are still beginning to flower and not ripe for cutting, they can wither away faster than any grass!

Such is the destiny of all who forget God; the hope of the godless perishes,

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

“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.

But you, however, are inventors of lies; all of you are worthless physicians!

All my closest friends detest me; and those whom I love have turned against me.

In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress overtakes him. the full force of misery will come upon him.

“One man dies in his full vigor, completely secure and prosperous,

for while my spirit is still in me, and the breath from God is in my nostrils,

Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call out to God at all times?