Therefore, say to the Israelites: I am the Lord. I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and will deliver you from their slavery. I will redeem you by my outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.

In your love you led the people you redeemed; in your strength you guided them to your holy dwelling.

But if she displeases her master, who had designated her for himself, he shall let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her.

The firstling of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; if you do not redeem it, you must break its neck. The firstborn among your sons you shall redeem. No one shall appear before me empty-handed.

If a man has sexual relations with a female slave who has been acquired by another man but has not yet been redeemed or given her freedom, an investigation shall be made. They shall not be put to death, because she has not been freed.

Therefore, in every part of the country that you occupy, you must permit the land to be redeemed.

When one of your kindred is reduced to poverty and has to sell some property, that person’s closest relative, who has the duty to redeem it, shall come and redeem what the relative has sold.

If, however, the person has no relative to redeem it, but later on acquires sufficient means to redeem it,

When someone sells a dwelling in a walled town, it can be redeemed up to a full year after its sale—the redemption period is one year.

But if such a house in a walled town has not been redeemed at the end of a full year, it shall belong irrevocably to the purchaser throughout the generations; it shall not be released in the jubilee.

However, houses in villages that are not encircled by walls shall be reckoned as part of the surrounding farm land; they may be redeemed, and in the jubilee they must be released.

In levitical cities the Levites shall always have the right to redeem the houses in the cities that are in their possession.

even after having sold themselves, they still may be redeemed by one of their kindred,

And if they are not redeemed by these means, they shall nevertheless be released, together with any children, in the jubilee year.

If the offerer wishes to redeem the animal, the person shall pay one fifth more than this valuation.

A person dedicating a house who then wishes to redeem it shall pay one fifth more than the price thus established, and then it will again belong to that individual.

A person dedicating a field who then wishes to redeem it shall pay one fifth more than the price thus established, and so reclaim it.

If, instead of redeeming such a field, one sells it to another, it may no longer be redeemed;

But if it is an unclean animal, it may be redeemed by paying one fifth more than its value. If it is not redeemed, it shall be sold at its value.

Note, also, that any possession which someone puts under the ban for the Lord, whether it is a human being, an animal, or a hereditary field, shall be neither sold nor redeemed; everything that is put under the ban becomes most holy to the Lord.

All human beings that are put under the ban cannot be redeemed; they must be put to death.

If someone wishes to redeem any of the tithes, the person shall pay one fifth more than their value.

It shall not matter whether good ones or bad ones are thus chosen, and no exchange may be made. If any exchange is made, both the original animal and its substitute become sacred and cannot be redeemed.

So Moses took the redemption money for those over and above the ones redeemed by the Levites.

Every living thing that opens the womb, human being and beast alike, such as are to be offered to the Lord, shall be yours; but you must redeem the firstborn of human beings, as well as redeem the firstborn of unclean animals.

But the firstborn of cattle, or the firstborn of sheep or the firstborn of goats you shall not redeem; they are holy. Their blood you must splash on the altar and their fat you must burn as an oblation of pleasing aroma to the Lord.

It was because the Lord loved you and because of his fidelity to the oath he had sworn to your ancestors, that the Lord brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.

And I prayed to the Lord and said: O Lord God, do not destroy your people, the heritage you redeemed in your greatness and have brought out of Egypt with your strong hand.

But that prophet or that dreamer shall be put to death, because, in order to lead you astray from the way which the Lord, your God, has commanded you to take, the prophet or dreamer has spoken apostasy against the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst.

For remember that you too were slaves in the land of Egypt, and the Lord, your God, redeemed you. That is why I am giving you this command today.

Absolve, O Lord, your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and do not let the guilt of shedding innocent blood remain in the midst of your people Israel.” Thus they shall be absolved from the guilt of bloodshed,

For, remember, you were slaves in Egypt, and the Lord, your God, redeemed you from there; that is why I command you to do this.

“May he be blessed by the Lord, who never fails to show kindness to the living and to the dead,” Naomi exclaimed to her daughter-in-law. She continued, “This man is a near relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

“Who are you?” he asked. She replied, “I am your servant Ruth. Spread the wing of your cloak over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

Now, I am in fact a redeemer, but there is another redeemer closer than I.

Stay where you are for tonight, and tomorrow, if he will act as redeemer for you, good. But if he will not, as the Lord lives, I will do it myself. Lie there until morning.”

Chapter 4

Boaz Marries Ruth. Boaz went to the gate and took a seat there. Along came the other redeemer of whom he had spoken. Boaz called to him by name, “Come, sit here.” And he did so.

he said to the other redeemer: “Naomi, who has come back from the plateau of Moab, is putting up for sale the piece of land that belonged to our kinsman Elimelech.

So I thought I would inform you. Before those here present, including the elders of my people, purchase the field; act as redeemer. But if you do not want to do it, tell me so, that I may know, for no one has a right of redemption prior to yours, and mine is next.” He answered, “I will act as redeemer.”

The redeemer replied, “I cannot exercise my right of redemption for that would endanger my own estate. You do it in my place, for I cannot.”

So the other redeemer, in saying to Boaz, “Acquire it for yourself,” drew off his sandal.

Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the Lord who has not failed to provide you today with a redeemer. May he become famous in Israel!

What other nation on earth is there like your people Israel? What god has ever led a nation, redeeming it as his people and making a name by great and awesome deeds, as you drove out the nations and their gods before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt?

the king swore, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress,

“Is there, like your people Israel, whom you redeemed from Egypt, another nation on earth whom a god went to redeem as his people? You won for yourself a name for great and awesome deeds by driving out the nations before your people.

Mordecai went away and did exactly as Esther had commanded.

Chapter C

Prayer of Mordecai. Recalling all that the Lord had done, Mordecai prayed to the Lord and said: “Lord, Lord, King and Ruler of all, everything is in your power, and there is no one to oppose you when it is your will to save Israel. You made heaven and earth and every wonderful thing under heaven. You are Lord of all, and there is no one who can resist you, the Lord. You know all things. You know, Lord, that it was not out of insolence or arrogance or desire for glory that I acted thus in not bowing down to the arrogant Haman. I would have gladly kissed the soles of his feet for the salvation of Israel. But I acted as I did so as not to place the honor of a mortal above that of God. I will not bow down to anyone but you, my Lord. It is not out of arrogance that I am acting thus. And now, Lord God, King, God of Abraham, spare your people, for our enemies regard us with deadly envy and are bent upon destroying the inheritance that was yours from the beginning. Do not spurn your portion, which you redeemed for yourself out of the land of Egypt. Hear my prayer; have pity on your inheritance and turn our mourning into feasting, that we may live to sing praise to your name, Lord. Do not silence the mouths of those who praise you.” All Israel, too, cried out with all their strength, for death was staring them in the face. Prayer of Esther. Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, fled to the Lord for refuge. Taking off her splendid garments, she put on garments of distress and mourning. In place of her precious ointments she covered her head with dung and ashes. She afflicted her body severely and in place of her festive adornments, her tangled hair covered her. Then she prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, saying: “My Lord, you alone are our King. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand. From birth, I have heard among my people that you, Lord, chose Israel from among all nations, and our ancestors from among all their forebears, as a lasting inheritance, and that you fulfilled all your promises to them. But now we have sinned in your sight, and you have delivered us into the hands of our enemies, because we worshiped their gods. You are just, O Lord. But now they are not satisfied with our bitter servitude, but have sworn an oath to their idols to do away with the decree you have pronounced, to destroy your inheritance, to close the mouths of those who praise you, to extinguish the glory of your house and your altar, to open the mouths of the nations to acclaim their worthless gods, and to extol a mortal king forever. “Lord, do not relinquish your scepter to those who are nothing. Do not let our foes gloat over our ruin, but turn their own counsel against them and make an example of the one who began this against us. Be mindful of us, Lord. Make yourself known in the time of our distress and give me courage, King of gods and Ruler of every power. Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion, and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and his co-conspirators may perish. Save us by your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but you, Lord. “You know all things. You know that I hate the pomp of the lawless, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised or of any foreigner. You know that I am under constraint, that I abhor the sign of grandeur that rests on my head when I appear in public. I abhor it like a polluted rag, and do not wear it in private. I, your servant, have never eaten at the table of Haman, nor have I graced the banquet of the king or drunk the wine of libations. From the day I was brought here till now, your servant has had no joy except in you, Lord, God of Abraham. O God, whose power is over all, hear the voice of those in despair. Save us from the power of the wicked, and deliver me from my fear.”

Chapter D

Esther Goes to Ahasuerus. On the third day, ending her prayers, she took off her prayer garments and arrayed herself in her splendid attire. In making her appearance, after invoking the all-seeing God and savior, she took with her two maids; on the one she leaned gently for support, while the other followed her, bearing her train. She glowed with perfect beauty and her face was as joyous as it was lovely, though her heart was pounding with fear. She passed through all the portals till she stood before the king, who was seated on his royal throne, clothed in full robes of state, and covered with gold and precious stones, so that he inspired great awe. As he looked up in extreme anger, his features fiery and majestic, the queen staggered, turned pale and fainted, collapsing against the maid in front of her. But God changed the king’s anger to gentleness. In great anxiety he sprang from his throne, held her in his arms until she recovered, and comforted her with reassuring words. “What is it, Esther?” he said to her. “I am your brother. Take courage! You shall not die; this order of ours applies only to our subjects. Come near!” Raising the golden scepter, he touched her neck with it, embraced her, and said, “Speak to me.” She replied: “I saw you, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was shaken by fear of your majesty. For you are awesome, my lord, though your countenance is full of mercy.” As she said this, she fainted. The king was shaken and all his attendants tried to revive her.

All the Gentiles shall know that there is One who redeems and delivers Israel.”

Or “Deliver me from the hand of the enemy, redeem me from oppressors”?

Let the words of my mouth be acceptable, the thoughts of my heart before you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress!

But I walk in my integrity; redeem me, be gracious to me!

Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, Lord, God of truth.

The Lord is the redeemer of the souls of his servants; and none are condemned who take refuge in him.

Rise up, help us! Redeem us in your mercy.

But God will redeem my life, will take me from the hand of Sheol. Selah

He will redeem my soul in peace from those who war against me, though there are many who oppose me.

Come and redeem my life; because of my enemies ransom me.

My lips will shout for joy as I sing your praise; my soul, too, which you have redeemed.

From extortion and violence he redeems them, for precious is their blood in his sight.

Remember your people, whom you acquired of old, the tribe you redeemed as your own heritage, Mount Zion where you dwell.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

They remembered that God was their rock, God Most High, their redeemer.

They did not remember his power, the day he redeemed them from the foe,

Who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion,

Let that be the prayer of the Lord’s redeemed, those redeemed from the hand of the foe,

Take up my cause and redeem me; for the sake of your promise give me life.

And he will redeem Israel from all its sins.

Psalm 146

Trust in God the Creator and Redeemer

Hallelujah!

For their redeemer is strong; he will defend their cause against you.

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and her repentant ones by righteousness.

Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham: No longer shall Jacob be ashamed, no longer shall his face grow pale.

No lion shall be there, nor any beast of prey approach, nor be found. But there the redeemed shall walk,

Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you maggot Israel; I will help you—oracle of the Lord; the Holy One of Israel is your redeemer.

Chapter 43

Promises of Redemption and Restoration

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.

Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: For your sake I send to Babylon; I will bring down all her defenses, and the Chaldeans shall cry out in lamentation.

The True God and False Gods

Thus says the Lord, Israel’s king, its redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first, I am the last; there is no God but me.

I have brushed away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like a mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.

Raise a glad cry, you heavens—the Lord has acted! Shout, you depths of the earth. Break forth, mountains, into song, forest, with all your trees. For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, shows his glory through Israel.

Cyrus, Anointed of the Lord, Agent of Israel’s Liberation

Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, who formed you from the womb: I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, I spread out the earth by myself.

our redeemer, Whose name is the Lord of hosts, the Holy One of Israel.

Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord, your God, teaching you how to prevail, leading you on the way you should go.

Go forth from Babylon, flee from Chaldea! With shouts of joy declare this, announce it; Make it known to the ends of the earth, Say: “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob.

Thus says the Lord, the redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, To the one despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers: When kings see you, they shall stand up, and princes shall bow down Because of the Lord who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you.

I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as though with new wine. All flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am your savior, your redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, You who made the depths of the sea into a way for the redeemed to pass through?

For thus says the Lord: For nothing you were sold, without money you shall be redeemed.

Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the Lord has comforted his people, has redeemed Jerusalem.

For your husband is your Maker; the Lord of hosts is his name, Your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth.

In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; But with enduring love I take pity on you, says the Lord, your redeemer.

Then for Zion shall come a redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression—oracle of the Lord.

You shall suck the milk of nations, and be nursed at royal breasts; And you shall know that I, the Lord, am your savior, your redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

They shall be called “The Holy People,” “The Redeemed of the Lord.” And you shall be called “Cared For,” “A City Not Forsaken.”

For a day of vindication was in my heart, my year for redeeming had come.

in their every affliction. It was not an envoy or a messenger, but his presence that saved them. Because of his love and pity the Lord redeemed them, Lifting them up and carrying them all the days of old.

For you are our father. Were Abraham not to know us, nor Israel to acknowledge us, You, Lord, are our father, our redeemer you are named from of old.

The Lord shall ransom Jacob, he shall redeem him from a hand too strong for him.

Strong is their Redeemer, whose name is Lord of hosts, The sure defender of their cause, who gives rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon.

You pleaded my case, Lord, you redeemed my life.

Woe to them, for they have strayed from me! Ruin to them, for they have rebelled against me! Though I wished to redeem them, they spoke lies against me.

Shall I deliver them from the power of Sheol? shall I redeem them from death? Where are your plagues, O death! where is your sting, Sheol! Compassion is hidden from my eyes.

Writhe, go into labor, O daughter Zion, like a woman giving birth; For now you shall leave the city and camp in the fields; To Babylon you shall go, there you shall be rescued. There the Lord shall redeem you from the hand of your enemies.

I will whistle for them and gather them in; for I will redeem them and they will be as numerous as before.

But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place.