So the Israelites did so, and expelled them outside the camp. As the <sc>Lordsc> had spoken<n id="1" /> to Moses, so the Israelites did.p>

He said to them, &#8220;Watch me and do as I do. Watch closely!<n id="1" /> I am going to the edge of the camp. Do as I do!

Peninnah<n id="1" /> would behave this way year after year. Whenever Hannah<n id="2" /> went up to the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s house, Peninnah<n id="3" /> would upset her so that she would weep and refuse to eat.

<t /><p class="poetry">Not only that,<n id="1" /> but I have seen the wicked approaching<n id="2" /> and entering the temple,<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">and as they left the holy temple,<n id="4" /> theyp> <p class="poetry">boasted<n id="5" /> in the city that they had done so.p> <p class="poetry">This also is an enigma.<n id="6" />p>

<p class="poetry">But he does not agree with this,p> <p class="poetry">his mind does not reason this way,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">for his goal is to destroy,p> <p class="poetry">and to eliminate many nations.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">So a treaty curse<n id="1" /> devours the earth;p> <p class="poetry">its inhabitants pay for their guilt.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">This is why the inhabitants of the earth disappear,<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">and are reduced to just a handful of people.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">You say, &#8216;No, we will flee on horses,&#8217;p> <p class="poetry">so you will indeed flee.p> <p class="poetry">You say, &#8216;We will ride on fast horses,&#8217;p> <p class="poetry">so your pursuers will be fast.p>

<t /><p class="poetry">For this reason the <sc>Lordsc> is ready to show you mercy;p> <p class="poetry">he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Indeed, the <sc>Lordsc> is a just God;p> <p class="poetry">all who wait for him in faith will be blessed.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">But the sovereign <sc>Lordsc> helps me,p> <p class="poetry">so I am not humiliated.p> <p class="poetry">For that reason I am steadfastly resolved;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">I know I will not be put to shame.p>

<p class="poetry">So my heart moans for Moabp> <p class="poetry">like a flute playing a funeral song.p> <p class="poetry">Yes, like a flute playing a funeral song,p> <p class="poetry">my heart moans for the people of Kir Heres.p> <p class="poetry">For the wealth they have gained will perish.p>

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;&#8216;Therefore, this is what the sovereign <sc>Lordsc> says: Because you have spoken false words and forecast delusion, look,<n id="1" /> I am against you,<n id="2" /> declares the sovereign <sc>Lordsc>.

Therefore this is what the sovereign <sc>Lordsc> says: &#8216;Because all of you<n id="1" /> have become slag, look out! &#8211; I am about to gather you in the middle of Jerusalem.<n id="2" />

<t /><p class="poetry">This is what the <sc>Lordsc> says:<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;Even though<n id="2" /> they are powerful<n id="3" /> &#8211;p> <p class="poetry">and what is more,<n id="4" /> even though their army is numerous<n id="5" /> &#8211;p> <p class="poetry">nevertheless,<n id="6" /> they will be destroyed<n id="7" /> and trickle away!<n id="8" />p> <p class="poetry">Although I afflicted you,p> <p class="poetry">I will afflict you no more.<n id="9" />p>

<p class="poetry">For this reason the law lacks power,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">and justice is never carried out.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">Indeed,<n id="3" /> the wicked intimidate<n id="4" /> the innocent.<n id="5" />p> <p class="poetry">For this reason justice is perverted.<n id="6" />p>

But we said to him, &#8216;We are honest men; we are not spies!

The Israelites did so, and they gathered &#8211; some more, some less.

This is the way it used to be continually: The cloud would cover it by day,<n id="1" /> and there was a fiery appearance by night.

My servant<n id="1" /> Moses is not like this; he is faithful<n id="2" /> in all my house.

Therefore, announce:<n id="1" /> &#8216;I am going to give<n id="2" /> to him my covenant of peace.<n id="3" />

<p class="poetry">So I will give you thanks, O <sc>Lordsc>, before the nations!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">I will sing praises to you.<n id="2" />p>