some evil people ¹  have departed from among you to entice the inhabitants of their cities, ²  saying, “Let’s go and serve other gods” (whom you have not known before). ³ 

Sons of senseless and nameless people, ¹  they were driven out of the land with whips. ² 

So Job opens his mouth to no purpose; ¹  without knowledge he multiplies words.”

I do not associate ¹  with deceitful men, or consort ²  with those who are dishonest. ³ 

The Lord knows that peoples’ thoughts are morally bankrupt. ¹ 

Your ¹  silver has become scum, ²  your beer is diluted with water. ³ 

“‘But just look at you! ¹  You are putting your confidence in a false belief ²  that will not deliver you. ³ 

And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” ¹ 

Hiram asked, ¹  “Why did you give me these cities, my friend ² ?” He called that area the region of Cabul, a name which it has retained to this day. ³ 

Also seat two villains opposite him and have them testify, ‘You cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”

I will not even consider doing what is dishonest. ¹  I hate doing evil; ²  I will have no part of it. ³ 

Has a nation ever changed its gods (even though they are not really gods at all)? But my people have exchanged me, their glorious God, ¹  for a god that cannot help them at all! ² 

Is there idolatry ¹  in Gilead? ²  Certainly its inhabitants ³  will come to nothing! ⁴  Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Surely their altars will be like stones heaped up on a plowed field!

They were having a good time, ¹  when suddenly ²  some men of the city, some good-for-nothings, ³  surrounded the house and kept beating ⁴  on the door. They said to the old man who owned the house, “Send out the man who came to visit you so we can have sex with him.” ⁵ 

Now, hand over the good-for-nothings ¹  in Gibeah so we can execute them and purge Israel of wickedness.” ²  But the Benjaminites refused to listen to their Israelite brothers.

Now be aware of this, and see what you can do. For disaster has been planned for our lord and his entire household. ¹  He is such a wicked person ²  that no one tells him anything!”

Who has the king of Israel come out after? Who is it that you are pursuing? A dead dog? A single flea?

Of coral and jasper no mention will be made; the price ¹  of wisdom is more than pearls. ² 

What the righteous say ¹  is like ²  the best ³  silver, but what the wicked think ⁴  is of little value. ⁵ 

Wealth does not profit in the day of wrath, ¹  but righteousness delivers from mortal danger. ²