Esther Agrees to Help the Jews

When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes (A)and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. He went up to the entrance of the king's gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth. And in every province, wherever the king's command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, (B)with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them (C)lay in sackcloth and ashes.

When Esther's young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was. Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate, and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, (D)and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. Mordecai also gave him (E)a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction,[a] that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him[b] on behalf of her people. And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, 11 “All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside (F)the inner court without being called, (G)there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one (H)to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”

12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for (I)three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, (J)and if I perish, I perish.”[c] 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

Esther Prepares a Banquet

(K)On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in (L)the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, (M)she won favor in his sight, (N)and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even (O)to the half of my kingdom.” And Esther said, “If it please the king,[d] let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. (P)And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, (Q)“What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? (R)Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”[e] Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: (S)If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king[f] to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to (T)the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

Haman Plans to Hang Mordecai

And Haman went out that day (U)joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai (V)in the king's gate, (W)that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and (X)his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, (Y)the number of his sons, all the promotions with which (Z)the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting (AA)at the king's gate.” 14 Then (AB)his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, (AC)“Let a gallows[g] fifty cubits[h] high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.

The King Honors Mordecai

On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring (AD)the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written how (AE)Mordecai had told about (AF)Bigthana[i] and (AG)Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king's young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered (AH)the outer court of the king's palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on (AI)the gallows[j] that he had prepared for him. And the king's young men told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man (AJ)whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, (AK)and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head (AL)a royal crown[k] is set. And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, (AM)proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” 10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits (AN)at the king's gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.” 11 So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

12 Then Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning (AO)and with his head covered. 13 And Haman told (AP)his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.”

Esther Reveals Haman's Plot

14 While they were yet talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried to bring Haman (AQ)to the feast that Esther had prepared.

So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, (AR)“What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? (AS)Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” Then Queen Esther answered, (AT)“If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. (AU)For we have been sold, I and my people, (AV)to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared[l] to do this?” And Esther said, (AW)“A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.

Haman Is Hanged

And the king arose in his wrath from the wine-drinking and went into (AX)the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king. And the king returned from (AY)the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, as Haman was falling on (AZ)the couch where Esther was. And the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the word left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman's face. Then (BA)Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, (BB)the gallows[m] that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, (BC)whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman's house, fifty cubits[n] high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” 10 (BD)So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. (BE)Then the wrath of the king abated.

Footnotes

  1. Esther 4:8 Or annihilation
  2. Esther 4:8 Hebrew and seek from before his face
  3. Esther 4:16 Hebrew if I am destroyed, then I will be destroyed
  4. Esther 5:4 Hebrew If it is good to the king
  5. Esther 5:6 Or done
  6. Esther 5:8 Hebrew if it is good to the king
  7. Esther 5:14 Or wooden beam; twice in this verse (see note on 2:23)
  8. Esther 5:14 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  9. Esther 6:2 Bigthana is an alternate spelling of Bigthan (see 2:21)
  10. Esther 6:4 Or wooden beam (see note on 2:23)
  11. Esther 6:8 Or headdress
  12. Esther 7:5 Hebrew whose heart has filled him
  13. Esther 7:9 Or wooden beam; also verse 10 (see note on 2:23)
  14. Esther 7:9 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help

When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes,(A) put on sackcloth and ashes,(B) and went out into the city, wailing(C) loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king’s gate,(D) because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.(E) He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned(F) the king has but one law:(G) that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter(H) to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent(I) at this time, relief(J) and deliverance(K) for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”(L)

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast(M) for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”(N)

17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Esther’s Request to the King

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes(O) and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s(P) hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.(Q)

Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom,(R) it will be given you.”

“If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

“Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. As they were drinking wine,(S) the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom,(T) it will be granted.”(U)

Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor(V) and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet(W) I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

Haman’s Rage Against Mordecai

Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage(X) against Mordecai.(Y) 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

Calling together his friends and Zeresh,(Z) his wife, 11 Haman boasted(AA) to them about his vast wealth, his many sons,(AB) and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person(AC) Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.(AD)

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits,[a](AE) and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled(AF) on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

Mordecai Honored

That night the king could not sleep;(AG) so he ordered the book of the chronicles,(AH) the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.(AI)

“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.

“Nothing has been done for him,”(AJ) his attendants answered.

The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.

His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”

“Bring him in,” the king ordered.

When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe(AK) the king has worn and a horse(AL) the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!(AM)’”

10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

11 So Haman got(AN) the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered(AO) in grief, 13 and told Zeresh(AP) his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.

His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall(AQ) has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”(AR) 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet(AS) Esther had prepared.

Haman Impaled

So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet,(AT) and as they were drinking wine(AU) on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom,(AV) it will be granted.(AW)

Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor(AX) with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated.(AY) If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.[b]

King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”

Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. The king got up in a rage,(AZ) left his wine and went out into the palace garden.(BA) But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate,(BB) stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.

Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch(BC) where Esther was reclining.(BD)

The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”(BE)

As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.(BF) Then Harbona,(BG) one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits[c](BH) stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

The king said, “Impale him on it!”(BI) 10 So they impaled(BJ) Haman(BK) on the pole(BL) he had set up for Mordecai.(BM) Then the king’s fury subsided.(BN)

Footnotes

  1. Esther 5:14 That is, about 75 feet or about 23 meters
  2. Esther 7:4 Or quiet, but the compensation our adversary offers cannot be compared with the loss the king would suffer
  3. Esther 7:9 That is, about 75 feet or about 23 meters

Spiritual Gifts

12 Now (A)concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that (B)when you were pagans (C)you were led astray to (D)mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that (E)no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is (F)accursed!” and (G)no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

Now (H)there are varieties of gifts, but (I)the same Spirit; and (J)there are varieties of service, but (K)the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is (L)the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (M)To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of (N)wisdom, and to another the utterance of (O)knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another (P)faith by the same Spirit, to another (Q)gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another (R)the working of miracles, to another (S)prophecy, to another (T)the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another (U)various kinds of tongues, to another (V)the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, (W)who apportions to each one individually (X)as he wills.

One Body with Many Members

12 For just as (Y)the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, (Z)so it is with Christ. 13 For (AA)in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—(AB)Jews or Greeks, slaves[d] or free—and (AC)all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, (AD)God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, (AE)as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts,[e] yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, (AF)all rejoice together.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:1 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:1 Or spiritual persons
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:1 Or brothers and sisters
  4. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
  5. 1 Corinthians 12:20 Or members; also verse 22

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit,(A) brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.(B) You know that when you were pagans,(C) somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.(D) Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,”(E) and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,”(F) except by the Holy Spirit.(G)

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit(H) distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone(I) it is the same God(J) at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.(K) To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,(L) to another a message of knowledge(M) by means of the same Spirit, to another faith(N) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing(O) by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers,(P) to another prophecy,(Q) to another distinguishing between spirits,(R) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a](S) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,(T) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body,(U) so it is with Christ.(V) 13 For we were all baptized(W) by[c] one Spirit(X) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free(Y)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.(Z) 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.(AA)

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed(AB) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.(AC) 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.(AD)

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or with; or in

How Precious Is Your Steadfast Love

To the choirmaster. Of David, the (A)servant of the Lord.

36 Transgression speaks to the wicked
    deep in his heart;[a]
(B)there is no fear of God
    before his eyes.
(C)For he flatters himself in his own eyes
    that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of his mouth are (D)trouble and deceit;
    (E)he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He (F)plots (G)trouble while on his bed;
    he sets himself in (H)a way that is not good;
    (I)he does not reject evil.

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.
(J)Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
    (K)your judgments are like the great deep;
    man and beast you (L)save, O Lord.

(M)How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    The children of mankind take refuge (N)in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on (O)the abundance of your house,
    and you give them drink from (P)the river of (Q)your delights.
For with you is (R)the fountain of life;
    (S)in your light do we see light.

10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who (T)know you,
    and your righteousness to (U)the upright of heart!
11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There (V)the evildoers lie fallen;
    they are thrust down, (W)unable to rise.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 36:1 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Syriac, Jerome (compare Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts in my heart

Psalm 36[a]

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord.

I have a message from God in my heart
    concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:[b](A)
There is no fear(B) of God
    before their eyes.(C)

In their own eyes they flatter themselves
    too much to detect or hate their sin.(D)
The words of their mouths(E) are wicked and deceitful;(F)
    they fail to act wisely(G) or do good.(H)
Even on their beds they plot evil;(I)
    they commit themselves to a sinful course(J)
    and do not reject what is wrong.(K)

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness(L) to the skies.(M)
Your righteousness(N) is like the highest mountains,(O)
    your justice like the great deep.(P)
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.(Q)
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!(R)
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.(S)
They feast on the abundance of your house;(T)
    you give them drink from your river(U) of delights.(V)
For with you is the fountain of life;(W)
    in your light(X) we see light.

10 Continue your love(Y) to those who know you,(Z)
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.(AA)
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
    nor the hand of the wicked(AB) drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen—
    thrown down, not able to rise!(AC)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 36:1 In Hebrew texts 36:1-12 is numbered 36:2-13.
  2. Psalm 36:1 Or A message from God: The transgression of the wicked / resides in their hearts.

21 Whoever (A)pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find (B)life, righteousness, and honor.
22 (C)A wise man scales the city of the mighty
    and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

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21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
    finds life, prosperity[a](A) and honor.(B)

22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(C)
    and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness