Canaanite King Defeated

21 When the Canaanite king of Arad,(A) who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming on the Atharim road, he fought against Israel and captured some prisoners. Then Israel made a vow to the Lord, “If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will completely destroy their cities.”(B) The Lord listened to Israel’s request, the Canaanites were defeated, and Israel completely destroyed them and their cities. So they named the place Hormah.[a](C)

The Bronze Snake

Then they set out from Mount Hor by way of the Red Sea to bypass the land of Edom, but the people[b] became impatient because of the journey. The people spoke against God and Moses: “Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!” Then the Lord sent poisonous[c][d] snakes among the people, and they bit them so that many Israelites died.(D)

The people then came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Intercede with the Lord so that He will take the snakes away from us.” And Moses interceded for the people.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.”(E) So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered.

Journey around Moab

10 The Israelites set out and camped at Oboth.(F) 11 They set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim in the wilderness that borders Moab on the east. 12 From there they went and camped at Zered Valley. 13 They set out from there and camped on the other side of the Arnon River, in the wilderness that extends from the Amorite border, because the Arnon was the Moabite border between Moab and the Amorites. 14 Therefore it is stated in the Book of the Lord’s Wars:

Waheb[e] in Suphah
and the ravines of the Arnon,
15 even the slopes of the ravines
that extend to the site of Ar[f](G)
and lie along the border of Moab.

16 From there they went to Beer,[g] the well the Lord told Moses about, “Gather the people so I may give them water.” 17 Then Israel sang this song:

Spring up, well—sing to it!
18 The princes dug the well;
the nobles of the people hollowed it out
with a scepter and with their staffs.

They went from the wilderness to Mattanah, 19 from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20 from Bamoth to the valley in the territory of Moab near the Pisgah highlands[h](H) that overlook the wasteland.[i](I)

Amorite Kings Defeated

21 Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon(J) king of the Amorites: 22 “Let us travel through your land. We won’t go into the fields or vineyards. We won’t drink any well water. We will travel the King’s Highway until we have traveled through your territory.”(K) 23 But Sihon would not let Israel travel through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz,(L) he fought against Israel. 24 Israel struck him with the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok,(M) but only up to the Ammonite border, because it was fortified.[j][k]

25 Israel took all the cities and lived in all these Amorite cities, including Heshbon and all its villages. 26 Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken control of all his land as far as the Arnon. 27 Therefore the poets[l] say:

Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt;
let the city of Sihon be restored.[m]
28 For fire came out of Heshbon,
a flame from the city of Sihon.
It consumed Ar of Moab,
the lords of[n] Arnon’s heights.
29 Woe to you, Moab!
You have been destroyed, people of Chemosh!(N)
He gave up his sons as refugees,
and his daughters into captivity
to Sihon the Amorite king.
30 We threw them down;
Heshbon has been destroyed as far as Dibon.[o](O)
We caused desolation as far as Nophah,
which reaches as far as Medeba.[p](P)

31 So Israel lived in the Amorites’ land. 32 After Moses sent spies to Jazer, Israel captured its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there.

33 Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan(Q) came out against them with his whole army to do battle at Edrei.(R) 34 But the Lord said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have handed him over to you along with his whole army and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.”(S) 35 So they struck him, his sons, and his whole army until no one was left,[q] and they took possession of his land.(T)

Balak Hires Balaam

22 The Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan across from Jericho. Now Balak(U) son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous, and Moab dreaded the Israelites. So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us like an ox eats up the green plants in the field.”

Since Balak son of Zippor was Moab’s king at that time, he sent messengers to Balaam(V) son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people.[r][s] Balak said to him: “Look, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the surface of the land and are living right across from me. Please come and put a curse on these people for me because they are more powerful than I am. I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that those you bless are blessed and those you curse are cursed.”

The elders of Moab and Midian departed with fees for divination in hand.(W) They came to Balaam and reported Balak’s words to him. He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will give you the answer the Lord tells me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.

Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”

10 Balaam replied to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent this message to me: 11 ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”

12 Then God said to Balaam, “You are not to go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

13 So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your land, because the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”

14 The officials of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and reported, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

15 Balak sent officials again who were more numerous and higher in rank than the others. 16 They came to Balaam and said to him, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Let nothing keep you from coming to me, 17 for I will greatly honor you and do whatever you ask me. So please come and put a curse on these people for me!’”

18 But Balaam responded to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the command of the Lord my God to do anything small or great. 19 Please stay here overnight as the others did, so that I may find out what else the Lord has to tell me.”

20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 21:3 = destruction
  2. Numbers 21:4 Lit soul of the people
  3. Numbers 21:6 LXX reads deadly; Syr reads cruel; Vg reads fiery
  4. Numbers 21:6 Lit burning
  5. Numbers 21:14 = the source of the Arnon River
  6. Numbers 21:15 A city in Moab; Nm 21:28; Dt 2:9,18,29; Is 15:1
  7. Numbers 21:16 = well
  8. Numbers 21:20 = Moabite mountain plateau; Nm 23:14; Dt 3:17,27; 4:49; 34:1; Jos 12:3; 13:20
  9. Numbers 21:20 Or overlook Jeshimon
  10. Numbers 21:24 LXX reads was Jazer
  11. Numbers 21:24 Or was at Az
  12. Numbers 21:27 Lit ones who speak proverbs
  13. Numbers 21:27 Or firmly founded
  14. Numbers 21:28 LXX reads Moab, and swallowed
  15. Numbers 21:30 LXX reads Their seed will perish from Heshbon; Vg reads Their yoke has perished from Heshbon
  16. Numbers 21:30 LXX reads Dibon. And their women have further kindled a fire against Moab; Hb uncertain
  17. Numbers 21:35 Lit left to him
  18. Numbers 22:5 Sam, Vg, Syr read of the Ammonites
  19. Numbers 22:5 Or of the Amawites

Arad Destroyed

21 When the Canaanite king of Arad,(A) who lived in the Negev,(B) heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them. Then Israel made this vow(C) to the Lord: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy[a](D) their cities.” The Lord listened to Israel’s plea and gave the Canaanites(E) over to them. They completely destroyed them(F) and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.[b](G)

The Bronze Snake

They traveled from Mount Hor(H) along the route to the Red Sea,[c](I) to go around Edom.(J) But the people grew impatient on the way;(K) they spoke against God(L) and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt(M) to die in the wilderness?(N) There is no bread! There is no water!(O) And we detest this miserable food!”(P)

Then the Lord sent venomous snakes(Q) among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.(R) The people came to Moses(S) and said, “We sinned(T) when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord(U) will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed(V) for the people.

The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole;(W) anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake(X) and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.(Y)

The Journey to Moab

10 The Israelites moved on and camped at Oboth.(Z) 11 Then they set out from Oboth and camped in Iye Abarim, in the wilderness that faces Moab(AA) toward the sunrise. 12 From there they moved on and camped in the Zered Valley.(AB) 13 They set out from there and camped alongside the Arnon(AC), which is in the wilderness extending into Amorite territory. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.(AD) 14 That is why the Book of the Wars(AE) of the Lord says:

“. . . Zahab[d] in Suphah and the ravines,
    the Arnon 15 and[e] the slopes of the ravines
that lead to the settlement of Ar(AF)
    and lie along the border of Moab.”

16 From there they continued on to Beer,(AG) the well where the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together and I will give them water.”

17 Then Israel sang this song:(AH)

“Spring up, O well!
    Sing about it,
18 about the well that the princes dug,
    that the nobles of the people sank—
    the nobles with scepters and staffs.”

Then they went from the wilderness to Mattanah, 19 from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20 and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah(AI) overlooks the wasteland.

Defeat of Sihon and Og

21 Israel sent messengers(AJ) to say to Sihon(AK) king of the Amorites:(AL)

22 “Let us pass through your country. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.(AM)

23 But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory.(AN) He mustered his entire army and marched out into the wilderness against Israel. When he reached Jahaz,(AO) he fought with Israel.(AP) 24 Israel, however, put him to the sword(AQ) and took over his land(AR) from the Arnon to the Jabbok,(AS) but only as far as the Ammonites,(AT) because their border was fortified. 25 Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites(AU) and occupied them,(AV) including Heshbon(AW) and all its surrounding settlements. 26 Heshbon was the city of Sihon(AX) king of the Amorites,(AY) who had fought against the former king of Moab(AZ) and had taken from him all his land as far as the Arnon.(BA)

27 That is why the poets say:

“Come to Heshbon and let it be rebuilt;
    let Sihon’s city be restored.

28 “Fire went out from Heshbon,
    a blaze from the city of Sihon.(BB)
It consumed(BC) Ar(BD) of Moab,
    the citizens of Arnon’s heights.(BE)
29 Woe to you, Moab!(BF)
    You are destroyed, people of Chemosh!(BG)
He has given up his sons as fugitives(BH)
    and his daughters as captives(BI)
    to Sihon king of the Amorites.

30 “But we have overthrown them;
    Heshbon’s dominion has been destroyed all the way to Dibon.(BJ)
We have demolished them as far as Nophah,
    which extends to Medeba.(BK)

31 So Israel settled in the land of the Amorites.(BL)

32 After Moses had sent spies(BM) to Jazer,(BN) the Israelites captured its surrounding settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there. 33 Then they turned and went up along the road toward Bashan(BO),(BP) and Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei.(BQ)

34 The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.(BR)

35 So they struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army, leaving them no survivors.(BS) And they took possession of his land.(BT)

Balak Summons Balaam

22 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab(BU) and camped along the Jordan(BV) across from Jericho.(BW)

Now Balak son of Zippor(BX) saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread(BY) because of the Israelites.

The Moabites(BZ) said to the elders of Midian,(CA) “This horde is going to lick up everything(CB) around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.(CC)

So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor,(CD) who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River,(CE) in his native land. Balak said:

“A people has come out of Egypt;(CF) they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. Now come and put a curse(CG) on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land.(CH) For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”

The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination.(CI) When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.

“Spend the night here,” Balaam said to them, “and I will report back to you with the answer the Lord gives me.(CJ)” So the Moabite officials stayed with him.

God came to Balaam(CK) and asked,(CL) “Who are these men with you?”

10 Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 11 ‘A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.’”

12 But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.(CM)

13 The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your own country, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”

14 So the Moabite officials returned to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

15 Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first. 16 They came to Balaam and said:

“This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, 17 because I will reward you handsomely(CN) and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse(CO) on these people for me.”

18 But Balaam answered them, “Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God.(CP) 19 Now spend the night here so that I can find out what else the Lord will tell me.(CQ)

20 That night God came to Balaam(CR) and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.”(CS)

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 21:2 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them; also in verse 3.
  2. Numbers 21:3 Hormah means destruction.
  3. Numbers 21:4 Or the Sea of Reeds
  4. Numbers 21:14 Septuagint; Hebrew Waheb
  5. Numbers 21:15 Or “I have been given from Suphah and the ravines / of the Arnon 15 to

Gabriel Predicts Jesus’ Birth

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel(A) was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,(B) 27 to a virgin engaged(C) to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.(D) The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”[a] 29 But she was deeply troubled(E) by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her:

Do not be afraid, Mary,(F)
for you have found favor with God.
31 Now listen:
You will conceive and give birth to a son,
and you will call His name Jesus.(G)
32 He will be great
and will be called the Son of the Most High,(H)
and the Lord God will give Him
the throne of His father David.(I)
33 He will reign over the house of Jacob(J) forever,
and His kingdom will have no end.(K)

34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?”[b]

35 The angel replied to her:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,(L)
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore, the holy One to be born
will be called the Son of God.(M)

36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”(N)

38 “I am the Lord’s slave,”[c] said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her,[d] and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.(O) 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry:

“You are the most blessed of women,
and your child will be blessed![e]

43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me![f] 45 She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!”

Mary’s Praise

46 And Mary said:

My soul proclaims the greatness of[g] the Lord,(P)
47 and my spirit has rejoiced(Q) in God my Savior,(R)
48 because He has looked with favor
on the humble condition of His slave.
Surely, from now on all generations
will call me blessed,(S)
49 because the Mighty One(T)
has done great things for me,(U)
and His name(V) is holy.
50 His mercy is from generation to generation(W)
on those who fear Him.
51 He has done a mighty deed with His arm;(X)
He has scattered the proud
because of the thoughts of their hearts;
52 He has toppled the mighty from their thrones
and exalted the lowly.
53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things(Y)
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
mindful of His mercy,[h]
55 just as He spoke to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his descendants[i] forever.

56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:28 Other mss add blessed are you among women
  2. Luke 1:34 Lit since I do not know a man
  3. Luke 1:38 Lit Look, the Lord’s slave
  4. Luke 1:41 Lit leaped in her abdomen or womb
  5. Luke 1:42 Lit and the fruit of your abdomen (or womb) is blessed
  6. Luke 1:44 Lit in my abdomen or womb
  7. Luke 1:46 Or soul magnifies
  8. Luke 1:54 Because He remembered His mercy; Ps 98:3
  9. Luke 1:55 Or offspring; lit seed

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel(A) to Nazareth,(B) a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,(C) a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,(D) Mary; you have found favor with God.(E) 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.(F) 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.(G) The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,(H) 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom(I) will never end.”(J)

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,(K) and the power of the Most High(L) will overshadow you. So the holy one(M) to be born will be called[a] the Son of God.(N) 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child(O) in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”(P)

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,(Q) 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.(R) 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,(S) and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(T) should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song(U)

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord(V)
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(W)
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.(X)
From now on all generations will call me blessed,(Y)
49     for the Mighty One has done great things(Z) for me—
    holy is his name.(AA)
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.(AB)
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(AC)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.(AD)
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.(AE)
53 He has filled the hungry with good things(AF)
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful(AG)
55 to Abraham and his descendants(AH) forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,

Psalm 57

Praise for God’s Protection

For the choir director: “Do Not Destroy.”[a] A Davidic Miktam. When he fled before Saul into the cave.(A)

Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me,
for I take refuge in You.
I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wings
until danger passes.(B)
I call to God Most High,
to God who fulfills His purpose for me.[b](C)
He reaches down from heaven and saves me,
challenging the one who tramples me.(D)Selah
God sends His faithful love and truth.(E)
I am surrounded by lions;
I lie down with those who devour men.
Their teeth are spears and arrows;
their tongues are sharp swords.(F)
God, be exalted above the heavens;
let Your glory be over the whole earth.(G)
They prepared a net for my steps;
I was despondent.
They dug a pit ahead of me,
but they fell into it!(H)Selah

My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident.
I will sing; I will sing praises.(I)
Wake up, my soul![c]
Wake up, harp and lyre!
I will wake up the dawn.(J)
I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.(K)
10 For Your faithful love is as high as the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches the clouds.(L)
11 God, be exalted above the heavens;(M)
let Your glory be over the whole earth.(N)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57:1 Possibly a tune
  2. Psalm 57:2 Or who avenges me
  3. Psalm 57:8 Lit glory

Psalm 57[a](A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.(B)

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.(C)
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings(D)
    until the disaster has passed.(E)

I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.(F)
He sends from heaven and saves me,(G)
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c](H)
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.(I)

I am in the midst of lions;(J)
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.(K)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.(L)

They spread a net for my feet(M)
    I was bowed down(N) in distress.
They dug a pit(O) in my path—
    but they have fallen into it themselves.(P)

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;(Q)
    I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!(R)
    I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.(S)

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;(T)
    let your glory be over all the earth.(U)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57:1 In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12.
  2. Psalm 57:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 57:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.

With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

10 When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices,(A)
and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.

11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,(B)
but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.(C)

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With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.(A)

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(B)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(C)

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(D)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(E)

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