Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all that their hands have made, my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.’

I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”

Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

“But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commands

“Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 22

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.

Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

“If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes,

For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.

I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.

Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law.

They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

Warning Against Adultery

My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.