2 Kings 24:8-16

New International Version

Jehoiachin King of Judah^(A)

⁸Jehoiachin^(B) was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta^(C) daughter of Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem. ⁹He did evil^(D) in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father had done.

¹⁰At that time the officers of Nebuchadnezzar^(E) king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem and laid siege to it, ¹¹and Nebuchadnezzar himself came up to the city while his officers were besieging it. ¹²Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his attendants, his nobles and his officials all surrendered^(F) to him.

In the eighth year of the reign of the king of Babylon, he took Jehoiachin prisoner. ¹³As the Lord had declared,^(G) Nebuchadnezzar removed the treasures^(H) from the temple of the Lord and from the royal palace, and cut up the gold articles^(I) that Solomon^(J) king of Israel had made for the temple of the Lord. ¹⁴He carried all Jerusalem into exile:^(K) all the officers and fighting men,^(L) and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest^(M) people of the land were left.

¹⁵Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin^(N) captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother,^(O) his wives, his officials and the prominent people^(P) of the land. ¹⁶The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand skilled workers and artisans.^(Q)

Read full chapter

Psalm 40

New International Version

Psalm 40^[a]^(A)

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹I waited patiently^(B) for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.^(C)
²He lifted me out of the slimy pit,^(D)
    out of the mud^(E) and mire;^(F)
he set my feet^(G) on a rock^(H)
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
³He put a new song^(I) in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord^(J)
    and put their trust^(K) in him.

⁴Blessed is the one^(L)
    who trusts in the Lord,^(M)
who does not look to the proud,^(N)
    to those who turn aside to false gods.^[b]^(O)
⁵Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders^(P) you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare^(Q) with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many^(R) to declare.

⁶Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—^(S)
    but my ears you have opened^[c]—^(T)
    burnt offerings^(U) and sin offerings^[d] you did not require.
⁷Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.^[e]^(V)
⁸I desire to do your will,^(W) my God;^(X)
    your law is within my heart.”^(Y)

⁹I proclaim your saving acts^(Z) in the great assembly;^(AA)
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.^(AB)
¹⁰I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness^(AC) and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.^(AD)

¹¹Do not withhold your mercy^(AE) from me, Lord;
    may your love^(AF) and faithfulness^(AG) always protect^(AH) me.
¹²For troubles^(AI) without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.^(AJ)
They are more than the hairs of my head,^(AK)
    and my heart fails^(AL) within me.
¹³Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.^(AM)

¹⁴May all who want to take my life^(AN)
    be put to shame and confusion;^(AO)
may all who desire my ruin^(AP)
    be turned back in disgrace.
¹⁵May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”^(AQ)
    be appalled at their own shame.
¹⁶But may all who seek you^(AR)
    rejoice and be glad^(AS) in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”^(AT)

¹⁷But as for me, I am poor and needy;^(AU)
may the Lord think^(AV) of me.
You are my help^(AW) and my deliverer;^(AX)
you are my God, do not delay.^(AY)

Footnotes

Psalm 40:1 In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18.
Psalm 40:4 Or to lies
Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts but a body you have prepared for me
Psalm 40:6 Or purification offerings
Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me