to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor, the day when our God will seek vengeance, to console all who mourn,

Now the Israelites had done as Moses told them – they had requested from the Egyptians silver and gold items and clothing.

When the Israelites heard this, the entire Israelite community assembled at Shiloh to launch an attack against them.

The Lord was furious with Israel and turned them over to the Philistines and Ammonites.

The Lord’s shout is powerful, the Lord’s shout is majestic.

For they eat bread gained from wickedness and drink wine obtained from violence.

Indeed, a large vineyard will produce just a few gallons, and enough seed to yield several bushels will produce less than a bushel.”

The Levites received within the land owned by the Israelites forty-eight cities in all and their grazing areas.

Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,

Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

You calm the raging seas and their roaring waves, as well as the commotion made by the nations.

The chariot drivers will crack their whips; the chariot wheels will shake the ground; the chariot horses will gallop; the war chariots will bolt forward!

Deliver me from my distress; rescue me from my suffering!

“Futile! Futile!” laments the Teacher, “Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!”

We will make for you gold ornaments studded with silver.

They do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world.

There is a loud noise on the mountains – it sounds like a large army! There is great commotion among the kingdoms – nations are being assembled! The Lord who commands armies is mustering forces for battle.

So six hundred Danites, fully armed, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol.

Let them sing about the Lord’s deeds, for the Lord’s splendor is magnificent.

The Lord sent against him Babylonian, Syrian, Moabite, and Ammonite raiding bands; he sent them to destroy Judah, as he had warned he would do through his servants the prophets.