They talked about the God of Jerusalem as if he were one of the man-made gods of the nations of the earth.

The king responded, “What is it you are seeking?” Then I quickly prayed to the God of heaven

I passed on to the Gate of the Well and the King’s Pool, where there was not enough room for my animal to pass with me.

So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard to protect against them both day and night.

“But they – our ancestors – behaved presumptuously; they rebelled and did not obey your commandments.

You multiplied their descendants like the stars of the sky. You brought them to the land you had told their ancestors to enter in order to possess.

However, due to your abundant mercy you did not do away with them altogether; you did not abandon them. For you are a merciful and compassionate God.

But Haman restrained himself and went on to his home. He then sent for his friends to join him, along with his wife Zeresh.

So Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king wishes to honor,

and a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing beside them,

So the Lord said to Satan, “All right, he is in your power; only preserve his life.”

That day – let it be darkness; let not God on high regard it, nor let light shine on it!

Indeed, let that night be barren; let no shout of joy penetrate it!

“Therefore, blessed is the man whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

Relent, let there be no falsehood; reconsider, for my righteousness is intact!

“Surely, God does not reject a blameless man, nor does he grasp the hand of the evildoers.

“Truly, I know that this is so. But how can a human be just before God?

But the tents of robbers are peaceful, and those who provoke God are confident – who carry their god in their hands.

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

Only in two things spare me, O God, and then I will not hide from your face: