He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt-offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.’

And he said, ‘O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham.

Let the girl to whom I shall say, “Please offer your jar that I may drink”, and who shall say, “Drink, and I will water your camels”—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.’

and said, ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness towards my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the way to the house of my master’s kin.’

Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

So he went and got them and brought them to his mother; and his mother prepared savoury food, such as his father loved.

Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful.

Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, ‘I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.’

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He served Laban for another seven years.

Leah conceived and bore a son, and she named him Reuben; for she said, ‘Because the Lord has looked on my affliction; surely now my husband will love me.’

I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies.

And his soul was drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob; he loved the girl, and spoke tenderly to her.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves.

But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love; he gave him favour in the sight of the chief jailer.

And we said to my lord, “We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead; he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.”

‘Naphtali is a doe let loose that bears lovely fawns.

‘In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.

But if the slave declares, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out a free person’,

The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty, but visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.’

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.

The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

“The Lord is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children to the third and the fourth generation.”

Forgive the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have pardoned this people, from Egypt even until now.’

And because he loved your ancestors, he chose their descendants after them. He brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power,

but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.

It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath that he swore to your ancestors, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

he will love you, bless you, and multiply you; he will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock, in the land that he swore to your ancestors to give you.

The Essence of the Law

So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

yet the Lord set his heart in love on your ancestors alone and chose you, their descendants after them, out of all the peoples, as it is today.

who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them with food and clothing.

You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Rewards for Obedience

You shall love the Lord your God, therefore, and keep his charge, his decrees, his ordinances, and his commandments always.

you must not heed the words of those prophets or those who divine by dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you indeed love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.

But if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you’, because he loves you and your household, since he is well off with you,

The Right of the Firstborn

If a man has two wives, one of them loved and the other disliked, and if both the loved and the disliked have borne him sons, the firstborn being the son of the one who is disliked,

then on the day when he wills his possessions to his sons, he is not permitted to treat the son of the loved as the firstborn in preference to the son of the disliked, who is the firstborn.

(Yet the Lord your God refused to heed Balaam; the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loved you.)

Moreover, the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live.

Take good care to observe the commandment and instruction that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, and to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.’

Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God.

So Samson’s wife wept before him, saying, ‘You hate me; you do not really love me. You have asked a riddle of my people, but you have not explained it to me.’ He said to her, ‘Look, I have not told my father or my mother. Why should I tell you?’

After this he fell in love with a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

Then she said to him, ‘How can you say, “I love you”, when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me three times now and have not told me what makes your strength so great.’

He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.’

but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.

And David came to Saul, and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armour-bearer.

Jonathan’s Covenant with David

When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.

But all Israel and Judah loved David; for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.

Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. Saul was told, and the thing pleased him.

Saul commanded his servants, ‘Speak to David in private and say, “See, the king is delighted with you, and all his servants love you; now then, become the king’s son-in-law.”’

But when Saul realized that the Lord was with David, and that Saul’s daughter Michal loved him,

If I am still alive, show me the faithful love of the Lord; but if I die,

never cut off your faithful love from my house, even if the Lord were to cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.’

Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him; for he loved him as he loved his own life.

Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you! And I too will reward you because you have done this thing.

But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.

Solomon Is Born

Then David consoled his wife Bathsheba, and went to her, and lay with her; and she bore a son, and he named him Solomon. The Lord loved him,

Amnon and Tamar

Some time passed. David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar; and David’s son Amnon fell in love with her.

He said to him, ‘O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?’ Amnon said to him, ‘I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.’

When King David heard of all these things, he became very angry, but he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, for he was his firstborn.

You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, while I go wherever I can? Go back, and take your kinsfolk with you; and may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you.’

for love of those who hate you and for hatred of those who love you. You have made it clear today that commanders and officers are nothing to you; for I perceive that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.

He is a tower of salvation for his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his descendants for ever.

Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places.

And Solomon said, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart towards you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today.

He said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart,

Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel for ever, he has made you king to execute justice and righteousness.’

Solomon’s Errors

King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women,

from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the Israelites, ‘You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you; for they will surely incline your heart to follow their gods;’ Solomon clung to these in love.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever.

With them were Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and expressly named to render thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures for ever.

I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you,

Solomon said to God, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to my father David, and have made me succeed him as king.

Then King Huram of Tyre answered in a letter that he sent to Solomon, ‘Because the Lord loves his people he has made you king over them.’

it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever’, the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud,

He said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant in steadfast love with your servants who walk before you with all their heart—

O Lord God, do not reject your anointed one. Remember your steadfast love for your servant David.’

When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and worshipped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever.’

The priests stood at their posts; the Levites also, with the instruments for music to the Lord that King David had made for giving thanks to the Lord—for his steadfast love endures for ever—whenever David offered praises by their ministry. Opposite them the priests sounded trumpets; and all Israel stood.

Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God. Because your God loved Israel and wished to establish them for ever, he has made you king over them, so that you may execute justice and righteousness.’

Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than all his other wives and concubines (he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters).

Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, ‘Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.

When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy splendour, as they went before the army, saying, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures for ever.’

He built towers in the wilderness and hewed out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vine-dressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.

and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever towards Israel.’ And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

and who extended to me steadfast love before the king and his counsellors, and before all the king’s mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.

For we are slaves; yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to give us new life to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judea and Jerusalem.

I said, ‘O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments;

they refused to obey, and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them; but they stiffened their necks and determined to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and you did not forsake them.

‘Now therefore, our God—the great and mighty and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love—do not treat lightly all the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings, our officials, our priests, our prophets, our ancestors, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until today.

And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favour, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.

the king loved Esther more than all the other women; of all the virgins she won his favour and devotion, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.

All my intimate friends abhor me, and those whom I loved have turned against me.

Whether for correction, or for his land, or for love, he causes it to happen.

How long, you people, shall my honour suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?Selah

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house, I will bow down towards your holy temple in awe of you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you.

Turn, O Lord, save my life; deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.

The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates the lover of violence.

For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

Wondrously show your steadfast love, O saviour of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

Psalm 18

Royal Thanksgiving for Victory

To the leader. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

Great triumphs he gives to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his descendants for ever.

For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.

O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.

I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,

Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.

Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.

Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.

Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.

He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart!

For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his faithful ones. The righteous shall be kept safe for ever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever.

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!’

By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

Rise up, come to our help. Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love.

Psalm 45

Ode for a Royal Wedding

To the leader: according to Lilies. Of the Korahites. A Maskil. A love song.

My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

you love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.Selah

We ponder your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.

Psalm 51

Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

To the leader. A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking the truth.Selah

You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God for ever and ever.

He will send from heaven and save me, he will put to shame those who trample on me.Selah God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.

For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds.

My God in his steadfast love will meet me; my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

But I will sing of your might; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been a fortress for me and a refuge on the day of my distress.

O my strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.

Give victory with your right hand, and answer us, so that those whom you love may be rescued.

May he be enthroned for ever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. With your faithful help

Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

the children of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall live in it.

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, ‘God is great!’

Has his steadfast love ceased for ever? Are his promises at an end for all time?

but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves.

Psalm 84

The Joy of Worship in the Temple

To the leader: according to The Gittith. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.

For great is your steadfast love towards me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?

Psalm 89

God’s Covenant with David

A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, for ever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.

I declare that your steadfast love is established for ever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; and in my name his horn shall be exalted.

For-ever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm.

but I will not remove from him my steadfast love, or be false to my faithfulness.

Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.

to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,

When I thought, ‘My foot is slipping’, your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.

The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him;

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,

Psalm 106

A Confession of Israel’s Sins

Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever.

Our ancestors, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wonderful works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled against the Most High at the Red Sea.

For their sake he remembered his covenant, and showed compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

BOOK V

(Psalms 107–150)

Psalm 107

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Give victory with your right hand, and answer me, so that those whom you love may be rescued.

In return for my love they accuse me, even while I make prayer for them.

So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

He loved to curse; let curses come on him. He did not like blessing; may it be far from him.

But you, O Lord my Lord, act on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me.

Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love.

Psalm 115

The Impotence of Idols and the Greatness of God

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.

Psalm 116

Thanksgiving for Recovery from Illness

I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.

For great is his steadfast love towards us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 118

A Song of Victory

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!

Let Israel say, ‘His steadfast love endures for ever.’

Let the house of Aaron say, ‘His steadfast love endures for ever.’

Let those who fear the Lord say, ‘His steadfast love endures for ever.’

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever.

Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise.

I find my delight in your commandments, because I love them.

I revere your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.

The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes.

Let your steadfast love become my comfort according to your promise to your servant.

In your steadfast love spare my life, so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.

Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long.

I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.

All the wicked of the earth you count as dross; therefore I love your decrees.

Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.

Truly I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom towards those who love your name.

Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.

In your steadfast love hear my voice; O Lord, in your justice preserve my life.

Consider how I love your precepts; preserve my life according to your steadfast love.

I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

My soul keeps your decrees; I love them exceedingly.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you.

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

Psalm 136

God’s Work in Creation and in History

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever.

O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures for ever.

O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

and killed famous kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

a heritage to his servant Israel, for his steadfast love endures for ever.

It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures for ever.

O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures for ever.

I bow down towards your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.

The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

In your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my adversaries, for I am your servant.

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.

but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

for the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.

a lovely deer, a graceful doe. May her breasts satisfy you at all times; may you be intoxicated always by her love.

Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; let us delight ourselves with love.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries.

but those who miss me injure themselves; all who hate me love death.’

A scoffer who is rebuked will only hate you; the wise, when rebuked, will love you.

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offences.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.

A wise child loves discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.

Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves those who speak what is right.

A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.

One who loves transgression loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper.

Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want; whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.

Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech will have the king as a friend.

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad, but to keep company with prostitutes is to squander one’s substance.

a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity.

Take Life as It Comes

All this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God; whether it is love or hate one does not know. Everything that confronts them

Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished; never again will they have any share in all that happens under the sun.

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that are given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.

Colloquy of Bride and Friends

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine,

your anointing oils are fragrant, your name is perfume poured out; therefore the maidens love you.

Draw me after you, let us make haste. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you.

Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you pasture your flock, where you make it lie down at noon; for why should I be like one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?

Colloquy of Bridegroom, Friends, and Bride

I compare you, my love, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.

Ah, you are beautiful, my love; ah, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves.

Ah, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly lovely. Our couch is green;

As a lily among brambles, so is my love among maidens.

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his intention towards me was love.

Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples; for I am faint with love.

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild does: do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready!

My beloved speaks and says to me: ‘Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away;

The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

A Dream of Love

Upon my bed at night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer.

‘I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves.’ I sought him, but found him not.

The sentinels found me, as they went about in the city. ‘Have you seen him whom my soul loves?’

Scarcely had I passed them, when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild does: do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready!

He made its posts of silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple; its interior was inlaid with love. Daughters of Jerusalem,

The Bride’s Beauty Extolled

How beautiful you are, my love, how very beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead.

Your lips are like a crimson thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil.

You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.

How sweet is your love, my sister, my bride! how much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!

I come to my garden, my sister, my bride; I gather my myrrh with my spice, I eat my honeycomb with my honey, I drink my wine with my milk. Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love.

Another Dream

I slept, but my heart was awake. Listen! my beloved is knocking. ‘Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one; for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.’

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, tell him this: I am faint with love.

The Bride’s Matchless Beauty

You are beautiful as Tirzah, my love, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.

How fair and pleasant you are, O loved one, delectable maiden!

let us go out early to the vineyards, and see whether the vines have budded, whether the grape blossoms have opened and the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love.

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready!

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If one offered for love all the wealth of one’s house, it would be utterly scorned.

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the orphan, and the widow’s cause does not come before them.

The Song of the Unfruitful Vineyard

Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.

then a throne shall be established in steadfast love in the tent of David, and on it shall sit in faithfulness a ruler who seeks justice and is swift to do what is right.

Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.

Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children’—

Assemble, all of you, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? The Lord loves him; he shall perform his purpose on Babylon, and his arm shall be against the Chaldeans.

In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant—

Behind the door and the doorpost you have set up your symbol; for, in deserting me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a bargain for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have gazed on their nakedness.

For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

God’s Mercy Remembered

I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favour to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her—

Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord: I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

Keep your feet from going unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘It is hopeless, for I have loved strangers, and after them I will go.’

How well you direct your course to seek lovers! So that even to wicked women you have taught your ways.

Unfaithful Israel

If a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man’s wife, will he return to her? Would not such a land be greatly polluted? You have played the whore with many lovers; and would you return to me? says the Lord.

Look up to the bare heights, and see! Where have you not been lain with? By the waysides you have sat waiting for lovers, like a nomad in the wilderness. You have polluted the land with your whoring and wickedness.

And you, O desolate one, what do you mean that you dress in crimson, that you deck yourself with ornaments of gold, that you enlarge your eyes with paint? In vain you beautify yourself. Your lovers despise you; they seek your life.

the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule as the prophets direct; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

I have likened daughter Zion to the loveliest pasture.

and they shall be spread before the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, which they have loved and served, which they have followed, and which they have inquired of and worshipped; and they shall not be gathered or buried; they shall be like dung on the surface of the ground.

but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

Thus says the Lord concerning this people: Truly they have loved to wander, they have not restrained their feet; therefore the Lord does not accept them, now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.

For thus says the Lord: Do not enter the house of mourning, or go to lament, or bemoan them; for I have taken away my peace from this people, says the Lord, my steadfast love and mercy.

Go up to Lebanon, and cry out, and lift up your voice in Bashan; cry out from Abarim, for all your lovers are crushed.

The wind shall shepherd all your shepherds, and your lovers shall go into captivity; then you will be ashamed and dismayed because of all your wickedness.

All your lovers have forgotten you; they care nothing for you; for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy, the punishment of a merciless foe, because your guilt is great, because your sins are so numerous.

the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

You show steadfast love to the thousandth generation, but repay the guilt of parents into the laps of their children after them, O great and mighty God whose name is the Lord of hosts,

the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank-offerings to the house of the Lord: ‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever!’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord.

She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has no one to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies.

I called to my lovers but they deceived me; my priests and elders perished in the city while seeking food to revive their strength.

God’s Steadfast Love Endures

I am one who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath;

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;

Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

I passed by you again and looked on you; you were at the age for love. I spread the edge of my cloak over you, and covered your nakedness: I pledged myself to you and entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord God, and you became mine.

Gifts are given to all whores; but you gave your gifts to all your lovers, bribing them to come to you from all around for your whorings.

Thus says the Lord God, Because your lust was poured out and your nakedness uncovered in your whoring with your lovers, and because of all your abominable idols, and because of the blood of your children that you gave to them,

therefore, I will gather all your lovers, with whom you took pleasure, all those you loved and all those you hated; I will gather them against you from all around, and will uncover your nakedness to them, so that they may see all your nakedness.

Oholah played the whore while she was mine; she lusted after her lovers the Assyrians, warriors

Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, into the hands of the Assyrians, for whom she lusted.

And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their lust; and after she defiled herself with them, she turned from them in disgust.

Therefore, O Oholibah, thus says the Lord God: I will arouse against you your lovers from whom you turned in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side:

To them you are like a singer of love songs, one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; they hear what you say, but they will not do it.

I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, ‘Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments,

For their mother has played the whore; she who conceived them has acted shamefully. For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers; they give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.’

She shall pursue her lovers, but not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them. Then she shall say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better with me then than now.’

Now I will uncover her shame in the sight of her lovers, and no one shall rescue her out of my hand.

I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees, of which she said, ‘These are my pay, which my lovers have given me.’ I will make them a forest, and the wild animals shall devour them.

I will punish her for the festival days of the Baals, when she offered incense to them and decked herself with her ring and jewellery, and went after her lovers, and forgot me, says the Lord.

And I will take you for my wife for ever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy.

Further Assurances of God’s Redeeming Love

The Lord said to me again, ‘Go, love a woman who has a lover and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the people of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.’

When their drinking is ended, they indulge in sexual orgies; they love lewdness more than their glory.

Impenitence of Israel and Judah

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early.

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt-offerings.

For they have gone up to Assyria, a wild ass wandering alone; Ephraim has bargained for lovers.

Punishment for Israel’s Sin

Do not rejoice, O Israel! Do not exult as other nations do; for you have played the whore, departing from your God. You have loved a prostitute’s pay on all threshing-floors.

Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree, in its first season, I saw your ancestors. But they came to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to a thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved.

Once I saw Ephraim as a young palm planted in a lovely meadow, but now Ephraim must lead out his children for slaughter.

Every evil of theirs began at Gilgal; there I came to hate them. Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more; all their officials are rebels.

Ephraim was a trained heifer that loved to thresh, and I spared her fair neck; but I will make Ephraim break the ground; Judah must plough; Jacob must harrow for himself.

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

God’s Compassion Despite Israel’s Ingratitude

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.

But as for you, return to your God, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.

A trader, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.

Assurance of Forgiveness

I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.

rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.

bring a thank-offering of leavened bread, and proclaim freewill-offerings, publish them; for so you love to do, O people of Israel! says the Lord God.

Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

He prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing.

you who hate the good and love the evil, who tear the skin off my people, and the flesh off their bones;

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Put no trust in a friend, have no confidence in a loved one; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your embrace;

God’s Compassion and Steadfast Love

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger for ever, because he delights in showing clemency.

The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing

do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, says the Lord.

Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be seasons of joy and gladness, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah: therefore love truth and peace.

Israel Preferred to Edom

I have loved you, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have you loved us?’ Is not Esau Jacob’s brother? says the Lord. Yet I have loved Jacob

Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god.

Love for Enemies

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.”

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same?

Concerning Prayer

‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

Serving Two Masters

‘No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’

He said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues,

And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’

you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’

and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’

Love for Enemies

‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.’

When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’

Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’

He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’

‘But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practised, without neglecting the others.

Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honour in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the market-places.

No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’

The Law and the Kingdom of God

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him.

‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.

The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands.

The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.

But I know that you do not have the love of God in you.

Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me.

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’

Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus,

So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’

Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him;

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’

Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.

but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you.

for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’

That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake.

Jesus and Peter

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’

A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’

He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.

Jesus and the Beloved Disciple

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’

and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

God’s Love in Christ Jesus

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As it is written, ‘I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.’

Marks of the True Christian

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour.

Love for One Another

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet’; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf,

But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’—

What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Food Offered to Idols

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

but anyone who loves God is known by him.

The Gift of Love

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

Let all that you do be done in love.

Let anyone be accursed who has no love for the Lord. Our Lord, come!

My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

For I wrote to you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain, but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

So I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.

For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.

by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love,

Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others.

Therefore, openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

Final Greetings and Benediction

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.

For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’

The Fruit of the Spirit

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,

just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.

Paul’s Prayer

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason

But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us

and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.

Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight

These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defence of the gospel;

Imitating Christ’s Humility

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy,

make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself,

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us—just as we long to see you.

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.

Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;

and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more,

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Thanksgiving

We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope,

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.

not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.

Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

The Good Fight of Faith

But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.

for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Paul’s Charge to Timothy

Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,

for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

but he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, prudent, upright, devout, and self-controlled.

Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God

because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus.

I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’

For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.

And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,

for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.’

Service Well-Pleasing to God

Let mutual love continue.

Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’

Trial and Temptation

Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?

You do well if you really fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’

Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.

Honour everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honour the emperor.

Suffering for Doing Right

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love.

They have left the straight road and have gone astray, following the road of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wages of doing wrong,

but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him:

Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world;

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.

Love One Another

For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death.

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

God Is Love

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.

We love because he first loved us.

Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.

The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

Faith Conquers the World

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child.

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,

Salutation

The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth,

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Truth and Love

I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.

But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another.

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.

Salutation

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God;

May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.

These are blemishes on your love-feasts, while they feast with you without fear, feeding themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted;

keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood,

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

‘I know your works—your love, faith, service, and patient endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first.

I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.

Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practises falsehood.

So now, my son, love your kindred, and in your heart do not disdain your kindred, the sons and daughters of your people, by refusing to take a wife for yourself from among them. For in pride there is ruin and great confusion. And in idleness there is loss and dire poverty, because idleness is the mother of famine.

the demon will smell it and flee, and will never be seen near her any more. Now when you are about to go to bed with her, both of you must first stand up and pray, imploring the Lord of heaven that mercy and safety may be granted to you. Do not be afraid, for she was set apart for you before the world was made. You will save her, and she will go with you. I presume that you will have children by her, and they will be as brothers to you. Now say no more!’ When Tobias heard the words of Raphael and learned that she was his kinswoman, related through his father’s lineage, he loved her very much, and his heart was drawn to her.

Acknowledge the Lord, for he is good, and bless the King of the ages, so that his tent may be rebuilt in you in joy. May he cheer all those within you who are captives, and love all those within you who are distressed, to all generations for ever.

Happy are those who love you, and happy are those who rejoice in your prosperity. Happy also are all people who grieve with you because of your afflictions; for they will rejoice with you and witness all your glory for ever.

and in righteousness they will praise the eternal God. All the Israelites who are saved in those days and are truly mindful of God will be gathered together; they will go to Jerusalem and live in safety for ever in the land of Abraham, and it will be given over to them. Those who sincerely love God will rejoice, but those who commit sin and injustice will vanish from all the earth.

She was beautiful in appearance, and was very lovely to behold. Her husband Manasseh had left her gold and silver, men and women slaves, livestock, and fields; and she maintained this estate.

And the king loved Esther and she found favour beyond all the other virgins, so he put on her the queen’s diadem.

So Mordecai went away and did what Esther had told him to do.

Addition C

Mordecai’s Prayer

Then Mordecai prayed to the Lord, calling to remembrance all the works of the Lord. He said, ‘O Lord, Lord, you rule as King over all things, for the universe is in your power and there is no one who can oppose you when it is your will to save Israel, for you have 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, O Lord, that it was not in insolence or pride or for any love of glory that I did this, and refused to bow down to this proud Haman; for I would have been willing to kiss the soles of his feet to save Israel! But I did this so that I might not set human glory above the glory of God, and I will not bow down to anyone but you, who are my Lord; and I will not do these things in pride. And now, O Lord God and King, God of Abraham, spare your people; for the eyes of our foes are upon us to annihilate us, and they desire to destroy the inheritance that has been yours from the beginning. Do not neglect your portion, which you redeemed for yourself out of the land of Egypt. Hear my prayer, and have mercy upon your inheritance; turn our mourning into feasting, that we may live and sing praise to your name, O Lord; do not destroy the lips of those who praise you.’ And all Israel cried out mightily, for their death was before their eyes.

Esther’s Prayer

Then Queen Esther, seized with deadly anxiety, fled to the Lord. She took off her splendid apparel and put on the garments of distress and mourning, and instead of costly perfumes she covered her head with ashes and dung, and she utterly humbled her body; every part that she loved to adorn she covered with her tangled hair. She prayed to the Lord God of Israel, and said: ‘O my Lord, you only are our king; help me, who am alone and have no helper but you, for my danger is in my hand. Ever since I was born I have heard in the tribe of my family that you, O Lord, took Israel out of all the nations, and our ancestors from among all their forebears, for an everlasting inheritance, and that you did for them all that you promised. And now we have sinned before you, and you have handed us over to our enemies because we glorified their gods. You are righteous, O Lord! And now they are not satisfied that we are in bitter slavery, but they have covenanted with their idols to abolish what your mouth has ordained, and to destroy your inheritance, to stop the mouths of those who praise you and to quench your altar and the glory of your house, to open the mouths of the nations for the praise of vain idols, and to magnify for ever a mortal king. ‘O Lord, do not surrender your sceptre to what has no being; and do not let them laugh at our downfall; but turn their plan against them, and make an example of him who began this against us. Remember, O Lord; make yourself known in this time of our affliction, and give me courage, O King of the gods and Master of all dominion! Put eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion, and turn his heart to hate the man who is fighting against us, so that there may be an end of him and those who agree with him. But save us by your hand, and help me, who am alone and have no helper but you, O Lord. You have knowledge of all things, and you know that I hate the splendour of the wicked and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised and of any alien. You know my necessity—that I abhor the sign of my proud position, which is upon my head on days when I appear in public. I abhor it like a filthy rag, and I do not wear it on the days when I am at leisure. And your servant has not eaten at Haman’s table, and I have not honoured the king’s feast or drunk the wine of libations. Your servant has had no joy since the day that I was brought here until now, except in you, O Lord God of Abraham. O God, whose might is over all, hear the voice of the despairing, and save us from the hands of evildoers. And save me from my fear!’

End of Addition C

Addition D

Esther Is Received by the King

On the third day, when she ended her prayer, she took off the garments in which she had worshipped, and arrayed herself in splendid attire. Then, majestically adorned, after invoking the aid of the all-seeing God and Saviour, she took two maids with her; on one she leaned gently for support, while the other followed, carrying her train. She was radiant with perfect beauty, and she looked happy, as if beloved, but her heart was frozen with fear. When she had gone through all the doors, she stood before the king. He was seated on his royal throne, clothed in the full array of his majesty, all covered with gold and precious stones. He was most terrifying. Lifting his face, flushed with splendour, he looked at her in fierce anger. The queen faltered, and turned pale and faint, and collapsed on the head of the maid who went in front of her. Then God changed the spirit of the king to gentleness, and in alarm he sprang from his throne and took her in his arms until she came to herself. He comforted her with soothing words, and said to her, ‘What is it, Esther? I am your husband. Take courage; You shall not die, for our law applies only to our subjects. Come near.’ Then he raised the golden sceptre and touched her neck with it; he embraced her, and said, ‘Speak to me.’ She said to him, ‘I saw you, my lord, like an angel of God, and my heart was shaken with fear at your glory. For you are wonderful, my lord, and your countenance is full of grace.’ And while she was speaking, she fainted and fell. Then the king was agitated, and all his servants tried to comfort her.

End of Addition D

and let both be given to one of the king’s honoured Friends, and let him robe the person whom the king loves and mount him on the horse, and let it be proclaimed through the open square of the city, saying, “Thus shall it be done to everyone whom the king honours.”’

Exhortation to Uprightness

Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord in goodness and seek him with sincerity of heart;

Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.

There were some who pleased God and were loved by him, and while living among sinners were taken up.

Description of Wisdom

Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her.

The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her,

and love of her is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality,

I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases.

for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom.

Solomon’s Love for Wisdom

I loved her and sought her from my youth; I desired to take her for my bride, and became enamoured of her beauty.

She glorifies her noble birth by living with God, and the Lord of all loves her.

And if anyone loves righteousness, her labours are virtues; for she teaches self-control and prudence, justice and courage; nothing in life is more profitable for mortals than these.

For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made, for you would not have made anything if you had hated it.

You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living.

Lovers of evil things and fit for such objects of hope are those who either make or desire or worship them.

so that your children, whom you loved, O Lord, might learn that it is not the production of crops that feeds humankind but that your word sustains those who trust in you.

The Prologue

Many great teachings have been given to us through the Law and the Prophets and the others that followed them, and for these we should praise Israel for instruction and wisdom. Now, those who read the scriptures must not only themselves understand them, but must also as lovers of learning be able through the spoken and written word to help the outsiders. So my grandfather Jesus, who had devoted himself especially to the reading of the Law and the Prophets and the other books of our ancestors, and had acquired considerable proficiency in them, was himself also led to write something pertaining to instruction and wisdom, so that by becoming familiar also with his book those who love learning might make even greater progress in living according to the law. You are invited therefore to read it with goodwill and attention, and to be indulgent in cases where, despite our diligent labour in translating, we may seem to have rendered some phrases imperfectly. For what was originally expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same sense when translated into another language. Not only this book, but even the Law itself, the Prophecies, and the rest of the books differ not a little when read in the original. When I came to Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Euergetes and stayed for some time, I found opportunity for no little instruction. It seemed highly necessary that I should myself devote some diligence and labour to the translation of this book. During that time I have applied my skill day and night to complete and publish the book for those living abroad who wished to gain learning and are disposed to live according to the law.

In Praise of Wisdom

All wisdom is from the Lord, and with him it remains for ever.

upon all the living according to his gift; he lavished her upon those who love him.

Those who fear the Lord do not disobey his words, and those who love him keep his ways.

Those who fear the Lord seek to please him, and those who love him are filled with his law.

Humility

My child, perform your tasks with humility; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts.

A stubborn mind will fare badly at the end, and whoever loves danger will perish in it.

Be a father to orphans, and be like a husband to their mother; you will then be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than does your mother.

Whoever loves her loves life, and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy.

Those who serve her minister to the Holy One; the Lord loves those who love her.

If you love to listen you will gain knowledge, and if you pay attention you will become wise.

Let your soul love intelligent slaves; do not withhold from them their freedom.

With all your might love your Maker, and do not neglect his ministers.

Do not hesitate to visit the sick, because for such deeds you will be loved.

Every creature loves its like, and every person a neighbour.

The Lord hates all abominations; such things are not loved by those who fear him.

A prostitute is regarded as spittle, and a married woman as a tower of death to her lovers.

Love your friend and keep faith with him; but if you betray his secrets, do not follow after him.

Concerning Children

He who loves his son will whip him often, so that he may rejoice at the way he turns out.

One who loves gold will not be justified; one who pursues money will be led astray by it.

The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him, a mighty shield and strong support, a shelter from scorching wind and a shade from noonday sun, a guard against stumbling and a help against falling.

Wine and music gladden the heart, but the love of friends is better than either.

In all that he did he gave thanks to the Holy One, the Most High, proclaiming his glory; he sang praise with all his heart, and he loved his Maker.

Your fame reached to far-off islands, and you were loved for your peaceful reign.

But the Lord will never give up his mercy, or cause any of his works to perish; he will never blot out the descendants of his chosen one, or destroy the family line of him who loved him. So he gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David a root from his own family.

Happy are those who saw you and were adorned with your love! For we also shall surely live.

for you saved me from destruction and rescued me in time of trouble. For this reason I thank you and praise you, and I bless the name of the Lord.

Hebrew adds:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the God of praises, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the guardian of Israel, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who formed all things, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the redeemer of Israel, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who gathers the dispersed of Israel, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who has chosen the sons of Zadok to be priests, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the shield of Abraham, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the rock of Isaac, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the mighty one of Jacob, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who has chosen Zion, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the King of the kings of kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever; He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his loyal ones. For the children of Israel, the people close to him. Praise the Lord!

He found the whole way to knowledge, and gave her to his servant Jacob and to Israel, whom he loved.

People take gold and make crowns for the heads of their gods, as they might for a girl who loves ornaments.

Daniel said, ‘You have remembered me, O God, and have not forsaken those who love you.’

Strike them down with the sword of those who love you, and let all who know your name praise you with hymns.’

as all ought to go who have the courage to refuse things that it is not right to taste, even for the natural love of life.

Razis Dies for His Country

A certain Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, was denounced to Nicanor as a man who loved his compatriots and was very well thought of and for his goodwill was called father of the Jews.

And Onias spoke, saying, ‘This is a man who loves the family of Israel and prays much for the people and the holy city—Jeremiah, the prophet of God.’

If men gather gold and silver or any other beautiful thing, and then see a woman lovely in appearance and beauty,

he faces lions, and he walks in darkness, and when he steals and robs and plunders, he brings it back to the woman he loves.

A man loves his wife more than his father or his mother.

And because you love the house of Israel, you promised that if we should have reverses, and tribulation should overtake us, you would listen to our petition when we come to this place and pray.

you loved him, and to him alone you revealed the end of the times, secretly by night.

For I did not wish to inquire about the ways above, but about those things that we daily experience: why Israel has been given over to the Gentiles in disgrace; why the people whom you loved has been given over to godless tribes, and the law of our ancestors has been brought to destruction and the written covenants no longer exist.

and from all the multitude of peoples you have taken for yourself one people; and to this people, whom you have loved, you have given the law that is approved by all.

Then I said, ‘Speak, my lord.’ And he said to me, ‘Are you greatly disturbed in mind over Israel? Or do you love him more than his Maker does?’

He said to me, ‘Just as you cannot do one of the things that were mentioned, so you cannot discover my judgement, or the goal of the love that I have promised to my people.’

Do not be angry with those who are deemed worse than wild animals, but love those who have always put their trust in your glory.

For you come far short of being able to love my creation more than I love it. But you have often compared yourself to the unrighteous. Never do so!

For now the Most High, seeing that you are sincerely grieved and profoundly distressed for her, has shown you the brilliance of her glory, and the loveliness of her beauty.

for you have oppressed the meek and injured the peaceable; you have hated those who tell the truth, and have loved liars; you have destroyed the homes of those who brought forth fruit, and have laid low the walls of those who did you no harm.

woe to you, miserable wretch! For you have made yourself like her; you have decked out your daughters for prostitution to please and glory in your lovers, who have always lusted after you.

You shall be weakened like a wretched woman who is beaten and wounded, so that you cannot receive your mighty lovers.

Thus, as soon as one adopts a way of life in accordance with the law, even though a lover of money, one is forced to act contrary to natural ways and to lend without interest to the needy and to cancel the debt when the seventh year arrives.

It is superior to love for one’s wife, so that one rebukes her when she breaks the law.

It takes precedence over love for children, so that one punishes them for misdeeds.

Since they had been educated by the same law and trained in the same virtues and brought up in right living, they loved one another all the more.

because they could make their brotherly love more fervent with the aid of their religion.

Furthermore, they encouraged them to face the torture, so that they not only despised their agonies, but also mastered the emotions of brotherly love.

Observe how complex is a mother’s love for her children, which draws everything towards an emotion felt in her inmost parts.

Even unreasoning animals, as well as human beings, have a sympathy and parental love for their offspring.

If they are not able to keep the intruder away, they do what they can to help their young by flying in circles around them in the anguish of love, warning them with their own calls.

She loved religion more, the religion that preserves them for eternal life according to God’s promise.

In what manner might I express the emotions of parents who love their children? We impress upon the character of a small child a wondrous likeness both of mind and of form. Especially is this true of mothers, who because of their birth pangs have a deeper sympathy towards their offspring than do the fathers.

The mother of the seven boys, more than any other mother, loved her children. In seven pregnancies she had implanted in herself tender love towards them,

For they were righteous and self-controlled and brave and magnanimous, and loved their brothers and their mother, so that they obeyed her even to death in keeping the ordinances.

Nevertheless, though so many factors influenced the mother to suffer with them out of love for her children, in the case of none of them were the various tortures strong enough to pervert her reason.

O sacred nature and affection of parental love, yearning of parents towards offspring, nurture and indomitable suffering by mothers!

But devout reason, giving her heart a man’s courage in the very midst of her emotions, strengthened her to disregard, for the time, her parental love.

For as in the council chamber of her own soul she saw mighty advocates—nature, family, parental love, and the rackings of her children—

The lions surrounding Daniel were not so savage, nor was the raging fiery furnace of Mishael so intensely hot, as was her innate parental love, inflamed as she saw her seven sons tortured in such varied ways.