# verses

book: 1Chr
contenido:
Soon after David moved into his new palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look around! I live in a palace made of cedar, but the sacred chest is kept in a tent.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
to go to David and tell him: David, you are my servant, so listen carefully: You are not the one to build a temple for me.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
I chose special leaders and told them to be like shepherds for my people Israel. But did I ever say anything to even one of them about building a cedar temple for me?


book: 1Chr
contenido:
I have given my people Israel a land of their own where they can live in peace. They will no longer have to tremble with fear—evil nations won't bother them, as they did


book: 1Chr
contenido:
when I let judges rule my people, and I will keep your enemies from attacking you. Now I promise that like you, your descendants will be kings.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
I'll choose one of your sons to be king when you reach the end of your life and are buried beside your ancestors. I'll make him a strong ruler,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
I will be like a father to him, and he will be like a son to me. I will never put an end to my agreement with him, as I put an end to my agreement with Saul, who was king before you.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David went into the tent he had set up for the sacred chest. He sat there and prayed: LORD God, my family and I don't deserve what you have already done for us,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and yet you have promised to do even more for my descendants. You are treating me as if I am a very important person.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And there is no other nation on earth like Israel, the nation you rescued from slavery in Egypt to be your own. You became famous by using great and wonderful miracles to force other nations and their gods out of your land, so that your people could live here.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then you will be famous forever, and everyone will say, “The LORD All-Powerful rules Israel and is their God.” My kingdom will be strong,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
because you are my God, and you have promised that my descendants will be kings. That's why I have the courage to pray to you like this, even though I am only your servant.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Now please bless my descendants forever, and let them always be your chosen kings. You have already blessed my family, and I know you will bless us forever.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Later, David attacked and defeated the Philistines. He captured their town of Gath and the nearby villages.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David also defeated the Moabites, and so they had to accept him as their ruler and pay taxes to him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
While King Hadadezer of Zobah was trying to gain control of the territory near the Euphrates River, David met him in battle at Hamath and defeated him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 chariot drivers, and 20,000 soldiers. And he crippled all but 100 of the horses.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When troops from the Syrian kingdom of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 of them.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David stationed some of his troops in Damascus, and the people there had to accept David as their ruler and pay taxes to him. Everywhere David went, the LORD helped him win battles.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Hadadezer's officers had carried gold shields, but David took these shields and brought them back to Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He also took a lot of bronze from the cities of Tibhath and Cun, which had belonged to Hadadezer. Later, Solomon used this bronze to make the large bowl called the Sea, and to make the pillars and other furnishings for the temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
King Tou of Hamath and King Hadadezer had been enemies. So when Tou heard that David had defeated Hadadezer's whole army, he sent his son Hadoram to congratulate David on his victory. Hadoram also brought him gifts made of gold, silver, and bronze.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David gave these gifts to the LORD, just as he had done with the silver and gold he had captured from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Abishai the son of Zeruiah defeated the Edomite army in Salt Valley and killed 18,000 of their troops.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then he stationed troops in Edom, and the people there had to accept David as their ruler. Everywhere David went, the LORD gave him victory in war.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests. Shavsha was the secretary.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was the commander of David's bodyguard. David's sons were his highest-ranking officials.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David said, “Nahash was kind to me, so I will be kind to his son.” He sent some officials to Ammon to tell Hanun how sorry he was that his father had died. But when David's officials arrived at Ammon,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, “Do you really believe King David is honoring your father by sending these men to comfort you? He probably sent them to spy on our country, so he can come and destroy it.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Hanun arrested David's officials and had their beards shaved off and their robes cut off just below the waist, and then he sent them away.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They were terribly ashamed. When David found out what had happened to his officials, he sent a message that told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back. Then you can come home.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The Ammonites realized they had made David furious. So they paid 34 tons of silver to hire chariot troops from Mesopotamia and from the Syrian kingdoms of Maacah and Zobah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Thirty-two thousand troops, as well as the king of Maacah and his army, came and camped near Medeba. The Ammonite troops also left their towns and came to prepare for battle.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The Ammonite troops marched to the entrance of the city and prepared for battle, while the Syrian troops took their positions in the open fields.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Joab saw that the enemy troops were lined up on both sides of him. So he picked some of the best Israelite soldiers to fight the Syrians.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then he put his brother Abishai in command of the rest of the army and told them to fight against the Ammonites.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Joab told his brother, “If the Syrians are too much for me to handle, come and help me. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I'll come and help you.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Be brave and fight hard to protect our people and the towns of our LORD God. I pray he will do whatever pleases him.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When the Ammonite troops saw that the Syrians had run away, they ran from Abishai's soldiers and went back into their own city. Joab then returned to Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
As soon as the Syrians realized they had been defeated, they sent for their troops that were stationed on the other side of the Euphrates River. Shophach, the commander of Hadadezer's army, led these troops to Ammon.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David found out what the Syrians were doing, and he brought Israel's entire army together. They crossed the Jordan River, and he commanded them to take their positions facing the Syrian troops. Soon after the fighting began,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
the Syrians ran from Israel. David killed 7,000 chariot troops and 40,000 regular soldiers. He also killed Shophach, their commander.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When the kings who had been under Hadadezer's rule saw that Israel had defeated them, they made peace with David and accepted him as their new ruler. The Syrians never helped the Ammonites again.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The next spring, the time when kings go to war, Joab marched out in command of the Israelite army and destroyed towns all over the country of Ammon. He attacked the capital city of Rabbah and left it in ruins. But David stayed in Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Later, David himself went to Rabbah, where he took the crown from the statue of their god Milcom. The crown was made of about 34 kilograms of gold, and there was a valuable jewel on it. David put the jewel on his crown, then carried off everything else of value.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He forced the people of Rabbah to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. He also did the same thing with the people in all the other Ammonite towns. David then led Israel's army back to Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Some time later, Israel fought a battle against the Philistines at Gezer. During this battle, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were defeated.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
In another battle against the Philistines, Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath from Gath, whose spear shaft was like a weaver's beam.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Another one of the Philistine soldiers who was a descendant of the Rephaim was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. During a battle at Gath,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Satan decided to cause trouble for Israel by making David think it was a good idea to find out how many people there were in Israel and Judah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David told Joab and the army commanders, “Count everyone in Israel, from the town of Beersheba in the south all the way north to Dan. Then I will know how many people can serve in my army.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Joab answered, “Your Majesty, even if the LORD made your kingdom a hundred times larger, you would still rule everyone in it. Why do you need to know how many soldiers there are? Don't you think that would make the whole nation angry?”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But David would not change his mind. And so Joab went everywhere in Israel and Judah and counted the people. He returned to Jerusalem


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and told David that the total number of men who could serve in the army was 1,100,000 in Israel and 470,000 in Judah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Joab refused to include anyone from the tribes of Levi and Benjamin, because he still disagreed with David's orders.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“Tell David that I will punish him in one of three ways. But he will have to choose which one it will be.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Will there be three years when the land won't grow enough food for its people? Or will your enemies constantly defeat you for three months? Or will the LORD send a horrible disease to strike your land for three days? Think about it and decide, because I have to give your answer to God who sent me.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David was miserable and said, “It's a terrible choice to make! But the LORD is kind, and I'd rather be punished by him than by anyone else.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then he sent an angel to destroy the city of Jerusalem. But just as the angel was about to do that, the LORD felt sorry for all the suffering he had caused the people, and he told the angel, “Stop! They have suffered enough.” This happened at the threshing place that belonged to Araunah the Jebusite.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David saw the LORD's angel in the air, holding a sword over Jerusalem. He and the leaders of Israel, who were all wearing sackcloth, bowed with their faces to the ground,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and David prayed, “It's my fault! I sinned by ordering the people to be counted. They have done nothing wrong—they are innocent sheep. LORD God, please punish me and my family. Don't let the disease wipe out your people.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The LORD's angel told the prophet Gad to tell David that he must go to Araunah's threshing place and build an altar in honor of the LORD.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Araunah and his four sons were threshing wheat at the time, and when they saw the angel, the four sons ran to hide.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David said, “Would you sell me your threshing place, so I can build an altar on it to the LORD? Then this disease will stop killing the people. I'm willing to pay whatever you say it's worth.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Araunah answered, “Take it, Your Majesty, and do whatever you want with it. I'll even give you the oxen for the sacrifice and the wheat for the grain sacrifice. And you can use the threshing-boards for the fire. It's all yours!”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But David replied, “No! I want to pay you what they're worth. I can't just take something from you and then offer the LORD a sacrifice that cost me nothing.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David built an altar and offered sacrifices to please the LORD and sacrifices to ask his blessing. David prayed, and the LORD answered him by sending fire down on the altar.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When David saw that the LORD had answered his prayer, he offered more sacrifices there at the threshing place,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
because he was afraid of the angel's sword and did not want to go all the way to Gibeon. That's where the sacred tent that Moses had made in the desert was kept, as well as the altar where sacrifices were offered to the LORD.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David said, “The temple of the LORD God must be built right here at this threshing place. And the altar for offering sacrifices will also be here.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David ordered the foreigners living in Israel to come to Jerusalem. Then he assigned some to cut blocks of stone for building the temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He got a large supply of iron to make into nails and hinges for the doors, and he provided so much bronze that it could not be weighed.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He said, “The temple for the LORD must be great, so that everyone in the world will know about it. But since my son Solomon is young and has no experience, I will make sure that everything is ready for the temple to be built.” That's why David did all these things before he died.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But some time ago, he told me, “David, you have killed too many people and have fought too many battles. That's why you are not the one to build my temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But when your son becomes king, I will give him peace throughout his kingdom. His name will be Solomon, because during his rule I will keep Israel safe and peaceful.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Solomon will build my temple. He will be like a son to me, and I will be like a father to him. In fact, one of his descendants will always rule in Israel.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Solomon, my son, I now pray that the LORD your God will be with you and keep his promise to help you build a temple for him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
If you obey the laws and teachings that the LORD gave Moses, you will be successful. Be strong and brave and don't get discouraged or be afraid of anything.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
I have all the supplies you'll need to build the temple: You have more than 3,000 tons of gold and over 34,000 tons of silver. There's also plenty of wood, stone, and more bronze and iron than I could weigh. Ask for anything else you need.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
I have also assigned men who will cut and lay the stone. And there are carpenters and people who are experts in working with


book: 1Chr
contenido:
gold, silver, bronze, and iron. You have plenty of workers to do the job. Now get started, and I pray that the LORD will be with you in your work.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David said: The LORD our God has helped me defeat all the people who lived here before us, and he has given you peace from all your enemies. Now this land belongs to the LORD and his people.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Obey the LORD your God with your heart and soul. Begin work on the temple to honor him, so that the sacred chest and the things used for worship can be kept there.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He said, “Twenty-four thousand of the Levites will be in charge of the temple, 6,000 will be temple officials and judges,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
4,000 will be guards at the temple, and 4,000 will praise the LORD by playing the musical instruments I have given them.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David then divided the Levites into three groups according to the clans of Levi's sons, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They were all family leaders among their father's descendants. Shimei was the father of Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Later, Shimei had four more sons, in the following order: Jahath, Ziza, Jeush, and Beriah. But Jeush and Beriah didn't have many children, so their descendants were counted as one family.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Amram was the father of Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were chosen to be in charge of all the sacred things. They served the LORD by offering sacrifices to him and by blessing the people in his name.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Moses, the man of God, was the father of Gershom and Eliezer, and their descendants were considered Levites.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These were the clans and families of the tribe of Levi. Those who were 20 years and older were assigned to work at the LORD's temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David said: The LORD God of Israel has given his people peace, and he will live in Jerusalem forever.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And so, the Levites won't need to move the sacred tent and the things used for worship from place to place.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
will serve the LORD by helping Aaron's descendants do their work at the temple, by keeping the courtyards and rooms of the temple clean, and by making sure that everything used in worship stays pure.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They will also be in charge of the sacred loaves of bread, the flour for the grain sacrifices, the thin wafers, any offerings to be baked, and the flour mixed with olive oil. These Levites will weigh and measure these offerings.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They must also give thanks and sing praises when sacrifices are offered on each Sabbath, as well as during New Moon Festivals and other religious feasts. There must always be enough Levites on duty at the temple to do everything that needs to be done.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They were once in charge of taking care of the sacred tent; now they are responsible for the temple and for helping Aaron's descendants.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Aaron's descendants were then divided into work groups. Aaron had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But Nadab and Abihu died long before their father, without having any sons. That's why Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David divided Aaron's descendants into groups, according to their assigned work. Zadok, one of Eleazar's descendants, and Ahimelech, one of Ithamar's descendants, helped David.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Eleazar's descendants were divided into 16 groups, and Ithamar's were divided into eight groups, because Eleazar's family included more family leaders.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
However, both families included temple officials and priests, and so to make sure the work was divided fairly, David asked God what to do.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
As each group was assigned their duties, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the Levite wrote down the name of the family leader in charge of that group. The witnesses were David and his officials, as well as Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the family leaders from the clans of the priests and the Levites.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Each group of priests went by the name of its family leader, and they were assigned their duties in the following order: Jehoiarib, Jedaiah, Harim, Seorim, Malchijah, Mijamin, Hakkoz, Abijah, Jeshua, Shecaniah, Eliashib, Jakim, Huppah, Jeshebeab, Bilgah, Immer, Hezir, Happizzez, Pethahiah, Jehezkel, Jachin, Gamul, Delaiah, Maaziah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These men were assigned their duties at the temple, just as the LORD God of Israel had commanded their ancestor Aaron.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar had no sons, but Kish was the father of Jerahmeel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Mushi had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the descendants of Levi, according to their clans.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Each one was assigned his duties in the same way that their relatives the priests had been assigned their duties. David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites were the witnesses.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David and the temple officials chose the descendants of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to be in charge of music. They were to praise the LORD by playing cymbals, harps and other stringed instruments. Here is a list of the musicians and their duties:


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Asaph's four sons, Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, were under the direction of their father and played music whenever the king told them to.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Jeduthun's six sons, Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, were under the direction of their father and played harps and sang praises to the LORD.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Heman had 14 sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
His sons were under his direction and played cymbals, harps, and other stringed instruments during times of worship at the temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman took their orders directly from the king.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David assigned them their duties by asking the LORD what he wanted. Everyone was responsible for something, whether young or old, teacher or student.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The musicians were divided into 24 groups of twelve, and each group went by the name of their family leader. They were assigned their duties in the following order: Joseph, Gedaliah, Zaccur, Zeri, Nethaniah, Bukkiah, Asarelah, Jeshaiah, Mattaniah, Shimei, Uzziel, Hashabiah, Shebuel, Mattithiah, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Joshbekashah, Hanani, Mallothi, Eliathah, Hothir, Giddalti, Mahazioth, and Romamtiezer.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The temple guards were also divided into groups according to clans. Meshelemiah son of Kore was from the Korah clan and was a descendant of Asaph.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Obed-Edom had been blessed with eight sons: Shemaiah, Jehozabad, Joah, Sachar, Nethanel, Ammiel, Issachar, and Peullethai.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shemaiah was the father of Othni, Rephael, Obed, Elzabad, Elihu, and Semachiah. They were all respected leaders in their clan.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Hosah, from the Merari clan, was the father of Shimri, Hilkiah, Tebaliah, and Zechariah. Hosah had made Shimri the family leader, even though he was not the oldest son. Thirteen men from Hosah's family were chosen to be temple guards.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The guards were divided into groups, according to their family leaders, and they were assigned duties at the temple, just like the other Levites.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Each group, no matter how large or small, was assigned a gate to guard, and they let the LORD show them what he wanted done.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shelemiah was chosen to guard the East Gate. Zechariah his son was a wise man and was chosen to guard the North Gate.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Obed-Edom was then chosen to guard the South Gate, and his sons were chosen to guard the storerooms.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shuppim and Hosah were chosen to guard the West Gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the upper road. The guards were assigned the following work schedule:


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Each day six guards were on duty on the east side of the temple, four were on duty on the north side, and four were on duty on the south side. Two guards were stationed at each of the two storerooms,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
four were stationed along the road leading to the west courtyard, and two guards stayed in the court itself.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The Levites who were relatives of the Korahites and the Merarites were in charge of guarding the temple treasury and the gifts that had been dedicated to God.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Ladan was from the Gershon clan and was the father of Jehieli. Many of his other descendants were family leaders in the clan.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shebuel was a descendant of Gershom the son of Moses. He was the chief official in charge of the temple treasury.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The descendants of Gershom's brother Eliezer included Rehabiah, Jeshaiah, Joram, Zichri, and Shelomoth.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shelomoth and his relatives were in charge of all the gifts that were dedicated to the LORD. These included the gifts that King David had dedicated, as well as those dedicated by the family leaders, army officers, and army commanders.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And whenever valuable things were captured in battle, these men brought back some of them to make repairs to the temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shelomoth and his relatives were responsible for any gifts that had been given to the temple, including those from Samuel the prophet, King Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Chenaniah from the Izhar clan and his sons were government officials and judges. They did not work at the temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Hashabiah from the Hebron clan and 1,700 of his skilled relatives were the officials in charge of all religious and government business in the Israelite territories west of the Jordan River.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Jerijah was the leader of the Hebron clan. David assigned him and 2,700 of his relatives, who were all respected family leaders, to be the officials in charge of all religious and government business in the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh. David found out about these men during the fortieth year of his rule, when he had a list made of all the families in the Hebron clan. They were from the town of Jazer in the territory of Gilead.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Each month a group of 24,000 men served as soldiers in Israel's army. These men, which included the family leaders, army commanders, and officials of the king, were under the command of the following men, arranged by the month of their service:


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Here is a list of the leaders of each tribe in Israel: Eliezer son of Zichri was over Reuben; Shephatiah son of Maacah was over Simeon; Hashabiah son of Kemuel was over the Levites, and Zadok the priest was over the descendants of Aaron; Elihu the brother of David was over Judah; Omri son of Michael was over Issachar; Ishmaiah son of Obadiah was over Zebulun; Jerimoth son of Azriel was over Naphtali; Hoshea son of Azaziah was over Ephraim; Joel son of Pedaiah was over West Manasseh; Iddo son of Zechariah was over East Manasseh; Jaasiel son of Abner was over Benjamin; Azarel son of Jeroham was over Dan.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When David decided to count the people of Israel, he gave orders not to count anyone under 20 years of age, because the LORD had promised long ago that Israel would have as many people as there are stars in the sky.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun to count the people, but he stopped when the LORD began punishing Israel. So the total number was never included in David's official records.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Azmaveth the son of Adiel was in charge of the king's personal storage rooms. Jonathan the son of Uzziah was in charge of the king's other storerooms that were in the towns, the villages, and the defense towers in Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shimei from Ramah was in charge of the vineyards, and Zabdi from Shepham was in charge of storing the wine.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Baal Hanan from Geder was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the western foothills, and Joash was in charge of storing the olive oil.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shitrai from Sharon was responsible for the cattle that were kept in Sharon Plain, and Shaphat son of Adlai was responsible for those kept in the valleys.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels, Jehdeiah from Meronoth was in charge of the donkeys, and Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the sheep and goats.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David's uncle Jonathan was a wise and intelligent advisor. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni taught David's sons.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Jehoiada the son of Benaiah was the king's advisor after Ahithophel, and later, Abiathar was his advisor. Joab was commander of Israel's army.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David called a meeting in Jerusalem for all of Israel's leaders, including the tribal leaders, the government officials, the army commanders, the officials in charge of the royal property and livestock, the palace officials, and the brave warriors.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
After everyone was there, David stood up and said: Listen to me, my people. I wanted to build a place where the sacred chest would be kept, so we could go there and worship the LORD our God. I have prepared all the supplies for building a temple,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
but the LORD has refused to let me build it, because he said I have killed too many people in battle.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The LORD God chose Judah to be the leading tribe in Israel. Then from Judah, he chose my father's family, and from that family, he chose me to be the king of Israel, and he promised that my descendants will also rule as kings.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The LORD said to me, “Your son Solomon will build my temple, and it will honor me. Solomon will be like a son to me, and I will be like a father to him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
My friends, you are the LORD's people. And now, with God as your witness, I want you to promise that you will do your best to obey everything the LORD God has commanded us. Then this land will always belong to you and your descendants.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Solomon, my son, worship God and obey him with all your heart and mind, just as I have done. He knows all your thoughts and your reasons for doing things, and so if you turn to him, he will hear your prayers. But if you ignore him, he will reject you forever.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The LORD has chosen you to build a temple for worshiping him. Be confident and do the work you have been assigned.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
After David finished speaking, he gave Solomon the plans for building the main rooms of the temple, including the porch, the storerooms, the rooms upstairs and downstairs, as well as the most holy place.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He gave Solomon his plans for the courtyards and the open areas around the temple, and for the rooms to store the temple treasures and gifts that had been dedicated to God.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David also gave Solomon his plans for dividing the priests and the Levites into groups, as well as for the work that needed to be done at the temple and for taking care of the objects used for worship.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
the gold incense altar, and the gold statue of a chariot for the winged creatures which were on the lid of the sacred chest.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But you must see that everything is done according to these plans. Be confident, and never be afraid of anything or get discouraged. The LORD my God will help you do everything needed to finish the temple, so it can be used for worshiping him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The priests and Levites have been assigned their duties, and all the skilled workers are prepared to do their work. The people and their leaders will do anything you tell them.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David told the crowd: God chose my son Solomon to build the temple, but Solomon is young and has no experience. This is not just any building—this is the temple for the LORD God!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
That's why I have done my best to get everything Solomon will need to build it—gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, onyx, turquoise, colored gems, all kinds of precious stones, and marble.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Besides doing all that, I have promised to give part of my own gold and silver as a way of showing my love for God's temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
More than 100 tons of my finest gold and almost 240 tons of my silver will be used to decorate its walls


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and to make the gold and silver objects. Now, who else will show their dedication to the LORD by giving gifts for building his temple?


book: 1Chr
contenido:
After David finished speaking, the family leaders, the tribal leaders, the army commanders, and the government officials voluntarily gave gifts


book: 1Chr
contenido:
for the temple. These gifts included more than 170 tons of gold, over 340 tons of silver, 620 tons of bronze, and more than 3,400 tons of iron.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Everyone who owned precious stones also donated them to the temple treasury, where Jehiel from the Levite clan of Gershon guarded them.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David and the people were very happy that so much had been given to the LORD, and they all celebrated.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then, in front of everyone, David sang praises to the LORD: I praise you forever, LORD! You are the God our ancestor Jacob worshiped.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Your power is great, and your glory is seen everywhere in heaven and on earth. You are king of the entire world,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But why should we be happy that we have given you these gifts? They belong to you, and we have only given back what is already yours.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
We are only foreigners living here on earth for a while, just as our ancestors were. And we will soon be gone, like a shadow that suddenly disappears.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Our LORD God, we have brought all these things for building a temple to honor you. They belong to you, and you gave them to us.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But we are happy, because everyone has voluntarily given you these things. You know what is in everyone's heart, and you are pleased when people are honest.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Always make us eager to give, and help us be faithful to you, just as our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob faithfully worshiped you.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And give Solomon the desire to completely obey your laws and teachings, and the desire to build the temple for which I have provided these gifts.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David then said to the people, “Now it's your turn to praise the LORD, the God your ancestors worshiped!” So everyone praised the LORD, and they bowed down to honor him and David their king.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The next day, the Israelites slaughtered 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, and they offered them as sacrifices to please the LORD, along with offerings of wine.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The people were very happy, and they ate and drank there at the LORD's altar. That same day, Solomon was again crowned king. The people celebrated and poured olive oil on Solomon's head to show that he would be their next king. They also poured oil on Zadok's head to show that he was their priest.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So Solomon became king after David his father. Solomon was successful, and everyone in Israel obeyed him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The LORD made Solomon a great king, and the whole nation was amazed at how famous he was. In fact, no other king of Israel was as great as Solomon.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David was rich and respected and lived to be an old man. Then he died, and his son Solomon became king.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Everything David did while he was king is included in the history written by the prophets Samuel, Nathan, and Gad.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They wrote about his powerful rule and about the things that happened not only to him, but also to Israel and the other nations.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Solomon, the son of David, was now in complete control of his kingdom, because the LORD God had blessed him and made him a powerful king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
At that time, the sacred tent that Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the desert was still kept at Gibeon, and in front of the tent was the bronze altar that Bezalel had made. One day, Solomon told the people of Israel, the army commanders, the officials, and the family leaders, to go with him to the place of worship at Gibeon, even though his father King David had already moved the sacred chest from Kiriath-Jearim to the tent that he had set up for it in Jerusalem. Solomon and the others went to Gibeon to worship the LORD,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
God appeared to Solomon that night in a dream and said, “Solomon, ask for anything you want, and I will give it to you.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon answered: LORD God, you were always loyal to my father David, and now you have made me king of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I am supposed to rule these people, but there are as many of them as there are specks of dust on the ground. So keep the promise you made to my father


book: 2Chr
contenido:
God replied: Solomon, you could have asked me to make you rich or famous or to let you live a long time. Or you could have asked for your enemies to be destroyed. Instead, you asked for wisdom and knowledge to rule my people.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So I will make you wise and intelligent. But I will also make you richer and more famous than any king before or after you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
While Solomon was king of Israel, there was silver and gold everywhere in Jerusalem, and cedar was as common as ordinary sycamore trees in the foothills.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon decided to build a temple where the LORD would be worshiped, and also to build a palace for himself.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He assigned 70,000 men to carry building supplies and 80,000 to cut stone from the hills. And he chose 3,600 men to supervise these workers.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon sent the following message to King Hiram of Tyre: Years ago, when my father David was building his palace, you supplied him with cedar logs. Now will you send me supplies?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I am building a temple where the LORD my God will be worshiped. Sweet-smelling incense will be burned there, and sacred bread will be offered to him. Worshipers will offer sacrifices to the LORD every morning and evening, every Sabbath, and on the first day of each month, as well as during all our religious festivals. These things will be done for all time, just as the LORD has commanded.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
No one can ever build a temple large enough for God—even the heavens are too small a place for him to live in! All I can do is build a place where we can offer sacrifices to him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Send me a worker who can not only carve, but who can work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as make brightly colored cloth. The person you send will work here in Judah and Jerusalem with the skilled workers that my father has already hired.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I know that you have workers who are experts at cutting lumber in Lebanon. So would you please send me some cedar, pine, and juniper logs? My workers will be there to help them,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I will pay your woodcutters 2,000 tons of wheat, the same amount of barley, 400,000 liters of wine, and that same amount of olive oil.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hiram sent his answer back to Solomon: I know that the LORD must love his people, because he has chosen you to be their king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Praise the LORD God of Israel who made heaven and earth! He has given David a son who isn't only wise and smart, but who has the knowledge to build a temple for the LORD and a palace for himself.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
His mother was from the Israelite tribe of Dan, and his father was from Tyre. Not only is Huram an expert at working with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, but he can also make colored cloth and fine linen. And he can carve anything if you give him a pattern to follow. He can help your workers and those hired by your father King David.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I will tell them to start cutting down trees in Lebanon. They will cut as many as you need, then tie them together into rafts, and float them down along the coast to Joppa. Your workers can take them to Jerusalem from there.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon counted all the foreigners who were living in Israel, just as his father David had done when he was king, and the total was 153,600.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He assigned 70,000 of them to carry building supplies and 80,000 of them to cut stone from the hills. He chose 3,600 others to supervise the workers and to make sure the work was completed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon's workers began building the temple in Jerusalem on the second day of the second month, four years after Solomon had become king of Israel. It was built on Mount Moriah where the LORD had appeared to David at the threshing place that had belonged to Araunah from Jebus.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Across the front of the temple was a porch 9 meters wide and 9 meters high. The inside walls of the porch were covered with pure gold.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon had the inside walls of the temple's main room paneled first with pine and then with a layer of gold, and he had them decorated with carvings of palm trees and designs that looked like chains.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
to decorate the ceiling beams, the doors, the door frames, and the walls. Solomon also told the workers to carve designs of winged creatures into the walls.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The most holy place was nine meters square, and its walls were covered with over 20 tons of fine gold.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Five hundred and seventy grams of gold was used to cover the heads of the nails. The walls of the small storage rooms were also covered with gold.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon had two statues of winged creatures made to put in the most holy place, and he covered them with gold.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Each creature had two wings and was four and a half meters from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other wing. Solomon set them next to each other in the most holy place, facing the doorway. Their wings were spread out and reached all the way across the nine-meter room.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
A curtain was made of fine linen woven with blue, purple, and red wool, and embroidered with designs of winged creatures.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Two columns were made for the entrance to the temple. Each one was 16 meters tall and had a cap on top that was over 2 meters high.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The top of each column was decorated with designs that looked like chains and with 100 carvings of pomegranates.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon had one of the columns placed on the south side of the temple's entrance; it was called Jachin. The other one was placed on the north side of the entrance; it was called Boaz.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also gave orders to make a large metal bowl called the Sea. It was 4.5 meters across, just over two meters deep, and 13.5 meters around.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Its outer edge was decorated with two rows of carvings of bulls, ten bulls to about every 45 centimeters, all made from the same piece of metal as the bowl.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The bowl itself sat on top of twelve bronze bulls, with three bulls facing outward in each of four directions.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The sides of the bowl were 75 millimeters thick, and its rim was in the shape of a cup that curved outward like flower petals. The bowl held about 60,000 liters.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also made ten small bowls and put five on each side of the large bowl. The small bowls were used to wash the animals that were burned on the altar as sacrifices, and the priests used the water in the large bowl to wash their hands.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ten gold lampstands were also made according to the plans. Solomon placed these lampstands inside the temple, five on each side of the main room.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also made ten tables and placed them in the main room, five on each side. And he made 100 small gold sprinkling bowls.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon gave orders to build two courtyards: a smaller one that only priests could use and a larger one. The doors to these courtyards were covered with bronze.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Huram made shovels, sprinkling bowls, and pans for hot ashes. Here is a list of the other furnishings he made for God's temple:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
pans for hot ashes, as well as shovels and meat forks. Huram made all these things out of polished bronze


book: 2Chr
contenido:
by pouring melted bronze into the clay molds he had set up near the Jordan River, between Succoth and Zeredah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon also gave orders to make the following temple furnishings out of gold: the altar, the tables that held the sacred loaves of bread,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
lamp snuffers, small sprinkling bowls, ladles, fire pans, and the doors to the most holy place and the main room of the temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After the LORD's temple was finished, Solomon put in its storage rooms everything that his father David had dedicated to the LORD, including the gold and silver, and the objects used in worship.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The sacred chest had been kept on Mount Zion, also known as the city of David. But Solomon decided to have the chest moved to the temple while everyone was in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Shelters during the seventh month. Solomon called together all the important leaders of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the priests and the Levites picked up the sacred chest, the sacred tent, and the objects used for worship, and they carried them to the temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The poles were so long that they could be seen from just outside the most holy place, but not from anywhere else. And they stayed there from then on.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The priests of every group had gone through the ceremony to make themselves clean and acceptable to the LORD. The Levite musicians, including Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives, were wearing robes of fine linen. They were standing on the east side of the altar, playing cymbals, small harps, and other stringed instruments. One hundred and twenty priests were with these musicians, and they were blowing trumpets. They were praising the LORD by playing music and singing: “The LORD is good, and his love never ends.” Suddenly a cloud filled the temple as the priests were leaving the holy place.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD's glory was in that cloud, and the light from it was so bright that the priests could not stay inside to do their work.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and said: Praise the LORD God of Israel! He brought his people out of Egypt long ago and later kept his promise to make my father David the king of Israel. The LORD also promised him that Jerusalem would be the city where his temple will be built, and now that promise has come true.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD has done what he promised. I am now the king of Israel, and I've built a temple for the LORD our God.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I've also put the sacred chest in the temple. And in that chest are the two flat stones on which is written the solemn agreement the LORD made with our ancestors when he rescued them from Egypt.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Earlier, Solomon had a bronze platform made that was about two meters square and over a meter high, and he put it in the center of the outer courtyard near the altar. Solomon stood on the platform facing the altar with everyone standing behind him. Then he lifted his arms toward heaven; he knelt down


book: 2Chr
contenido:
You promised that someone from his family would always be king of Israel, if they do their best to obey you, just as he did.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I am your servant, and the people of Israel belong to you, and so whenever any of us look toward this temple and pray, answer from your home in heaven and forgive our sins.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Suppose your people sin against you, and you punish them by holding back the rain. If they stop sinning and turn toward this temple to pray in your name,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
listen from your home in heaven and forgive them. The people of Israel are your servants, so teach them to live right. And send rain on the land you promised them forever.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Please listen when anyone in Israel truly feels sorry and sincerely prays with arms lifted toward your temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
You know what is in everyone's heart. So from your home in heaven answer their prayers, according to what they do and what is in their hearts.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then your people will worship you and obey you for as long as they live in the land you gave their ancestors.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
listen from your home in heaven and answer their prayers. Then everyone on earth will worship you, just as your own people Israel do, and they will know that I have built this temple in your honor.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Sometimes you will order your people to attack their enemies. Then your people will turn toward this temple I have built for you in your chosen city, and they will pray to you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Later, they may feel sorry for what they did and ask your forgiveness. Answer them when they pray toward this temple I have built for you in your chosen city, here in this land you gave their ancestors. From your home in heaven, listen to their sincere prayers and forgive your people who have sinned against you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Come to your new home, where we have already placed the sacred chest, which is the symbol of your strength. I pray that when the priests announce your power to save people, those who are faithful to you will celebrate what you've done for them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Always remember the love you had for your servant David, so that you will not reject your chosen kings.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As soon as Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and burned up the offerings. The LORD's dazzling glory then filled the temple,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When the crowd of people saw the fire and the LORD's glory, they knelt down and worshiped the LORD. They prayed: “The LORD is good, and his love never ends.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon and the people dedicated the temple to the LORD by sacrificing 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everybody stood up during the ceremony. The priests were in their assigned places, blowing their trumpets. And the Levites faced them, playing the musical instruments that David had made for them to use when they praised the LORD for his never-ending love.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
On that same day, Solomon dedicated the courtyard in front of the temple and got it ready to be used for worship. The bronze altar he had made was too small, so he used the courtyard to offer sacrifices to please the LORD and grain sacrifices, and also to send up in smoke the fat from the other offerings.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For 7 days, Solomon and the crowd celebrated the Festival of Shelters, and people came from as far away as the Egyptian Gorge in the south and Lebo-Hamath in the north.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then on the next day, everyone came together for worship. They had celebrated a total of 14 days, 7 days for the dedication of the altar and 7 more days for the festival.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then on the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sent everyone home. They left very happy because of all the good things the LORD had done for David and Solomon, and for his people Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD's temple and Solomon's palace were now finished. In fact, everything Solomon had planned to do was completed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Some time later, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream and said: I heard your prayer, and I have chosen this temple as the place where sacrifices will be offered to me.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Suppose I hold back the rain or send locusts to eat the crops or make my people suffer with deadly diseases.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
If my own people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven. I will forgive them and make their land fertile once again.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
because it belongs to me, and this is where I will be worshiped forever. I will never stop watching over it.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and I will keep my solemn promise to him that someone from your family will always be king of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I will pull you out of this land I gave you. I will desert this temple where I said I would be worshiped, so that people everywhere will think it is only a joke and will make fun of it.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
This temple is now magnificent. But when these things happen, everyone who walks by it will be shocked and will ask, “Why did the LORD do such a terrible thing to his people and to this temple?”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then they will answer, “It was because the people of Israel rejected the LORD their God, who rescued their ancestors from Egypt, and they started worshiping other gods.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After that, Solomon had his workers rebuild the towns that Hiram had given him. Then Solomon sent Israelites to live in those towns.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He ordered his workers to build the town of Tadmor in the desert and some towns in Hamath where he could keep his supplies.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He strengthened Upper Beth-Horon and Lower Beth-Horon by adding walls and gates that could be locked.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He did the same thing to the town of Baalath and to the cities where he kept supplies, chariots, and horses. Solomon ordered his workers to build whatever he wanted in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and anywhere else in his kingdom.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon did not force the Israelites to do his work. Instead, they were his soldiers, officers, army commanders, and cavalry troops. But he did make slaves of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites who were living in Israel. These were the descendants of those foreigners the Israelites did not destroy, and they remained Israel's slaves.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon's wife, the daughter of the king of Egypt, moved from the part of Jerusalem called David's City to her new palace that Solomon had built. The sacred chest had been kept in David's City, which made his palace sacred, and so Solomon's wife could no longer live there.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He followed the requirements that Moses had given for sacrifices offered on the Sabbath, on the first day of each month, the Festival of Thin Bread, the Harvest Festival, and the Festival of Shelters.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon then assigned the priests and the Levites their duties at the temple, and he followed the instructions that his father, the man of God, had given him. Some of the Levites were to lead music and help the priests in their duties, and others were to guard the temple gates


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything Solomon had planned to do was now finished—from the laying of the temple's foundation to its completion.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hiram sent him ships and some of his experienced sailors. They went with Solomon's own sailors to the country of Ophir and brought back more than 15 tons of gold for Solomon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The Queen of Sheba heard how famous Solomon was, so she went to Jerusalem to test him with difficult questions. She took along several of her officials, and she loaded her camels with gifts of spices, jewels, and gold. When she arrived, she and Solomon talked about everything she could think of.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The Queen was amazed at Solomon's wisdom. She was breathless when she saw his palace, the food on his table, his officials, all his servants in their uniforms, and the sacrifices he offered at the LORD's temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But I didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes! And there's so much I didn't hear about. You are greater than I was told.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I praise the LORD your God. He is pleased with you and has made you king of Israel. God loves the people of this country and will never desert them, so he has given them a king who will rule fairly and honestly.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The Queen of Sheba gave Solomon more than four tons of gold, a large amount of jewels, and the best spices anyone had ever seen.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In return, Solomon gave her everything she wanted—even more than she had given him. Then she and her officials went back to their own country. Hiram's and Solomon's sailors brought gold, juniper wood, and jewels from the country of Ophir. Solomon used the wood to make steps for the temple and palace, and harps and other stringed instruments for the musicians. Nothing like these had ever been made in Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
not counting what the merchants and traders brought him. The kings of Arabia and the leaders of Israel also gave him gold and silver.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also made 300 smaller gold shields that weighed almost two kilograms, and he put these shields in his palace in Forest Hall.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
It had a gold footstool attached to it and armrests on each side. There was a statue of a lion on each side of the throne,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and there were two lion statues on each of the six steps leading up to the throne. No other throne in the world was like Solomon's.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon's cups and dishes in Forest Hall were made of pure gold, because silver was almost worthless in those days.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Year after year, other kings came to hear the wisdom God had given him. And they brought gifts of silver and gold, as well as clothes, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon had 4,000 stalls for his horses and chariots, and he owned 12,000 horses that he kept in Jerusalem and other towns.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He ruled all the nations from the Euphrates River in the north to the land of Philistia in the south, as far as the border of Egypt.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
While Solomon was king, there was silver everywhere in Jerusalem, and cedar was as common as the sycamore trees in the western foothills.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything else Solomon did while he was king is written in the records of Nathan the prophet, Ahijah the prophet from Shiloh, and Iddo the prophet who wrote about Jeroboam son of Nebat.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jeroboam son of Nebat heard what was happening, and he returned from Egypt, where he had gone to hide from Solomon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The people from the northern tribes of Israel sent for him. Then together they went to Rehoboam and said,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They answered, “If you want them to serve and obey you, then you should be kind and promise to make their work easier.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and told them exactly what his own advisors had suggested. He said: “My father made you work hard, but I'll make you work even harder. He punished you with whips, but I'll use whips with pieces of sharp metal!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When the people realized that Rehoboam would not listen to them, they shouted: “We don't have to be loyal to David's family. We can do what we want. Come on, people of Israel, let's go home! Rehoboam can rule his own people.” Adoniram was in charge of the work force, and Rehoboam sent him to talk to the people. But they stoned him to death. Then Rehoboam ran to his chariot and hurried back to Jerusalem. Everyone from Israel's northern tribes went home, leaving Rehoboam to rule only the people from Judah. And since that day, the people of Israel have been opposed to David's descendants in Judah. All of this happened just as Ahijah the LORD's prophet from Shiloh had told Jeroboam.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After Rehoboam returned to Jerusalem, he decided to attack Israel and regain control of the whole country. So he called together 180,000 soldiers from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“The LORD warns you not to go to war against the people from the northern tribes—they are your relatives. Go home! The LORD is the one who made these things happen.” Rehoboam and his army obeyed the LORD's message and did not attack Jeroboam and his troops.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Rehoboam ruled from Jerusalem, and he had several cities in Judah turned into fortresses so he could use them to defend his country. These cities included


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. After he had fortified these cities in the territories of Judah and Benjamin,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
he assigned an army commander to each of them and stocked them with supplies of food, olive oil, and wine,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
as well as with shields and spears. He used these fortified cities to keep control of Judah and Benjamin.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And since Jeroboam and the kings of Israel that followed him would not allow any Levites to serve as priests, most Levites left their towns and pasturelands in Israel and moved to Jerusalem and other towns in Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jeroboam chose his own priests to serve at the local shrines in Israel and at the places of worship where he had set up statues of goat-demons and of calves.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But some of the people from Israel wanted to worship the LORD God, just as their ancestors had done. So they followed the priests and Levites to Jerusalem, where they could offer sacrifices to the LORD.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For the next three years, they lived in Judah and were loyal to Rehoboam and his kingdom, just as they had been loyal to David and Solomon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Rehoboam married Mahalath, whose father was Jerimoth son of David, and whose mother was Abihail the daughter of Eliab and granddaughter of Jesse.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Rehoboam married Maacah the daughter of Absalom. Their sons were Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Rehoboam had 18 wives, but he also married 60 other women, and he was the father of 28 sons and 60 daughters. Rehoboam loved his wife Maacah the most,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Rehoboam was wise enough to put one of his sons in charge of each fortified city in his kingdom. He gave them all the supplies they needed and found wives for every one of them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So in the fifth year of Rehoboam's rule, the LORD punished them for their unfaithfulness and allowed King Shishak of Egypt to invade Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Shishak attacked with his army of 1,200 chariots and 60,000 cavalry troops, as well as countless Egyptian soldiers from Libya, Sukkoth, and Ethiopia.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah had gone to Jerusalem to escape Shishak's invasion. And while they were there, Shemaiah the prophet told them, “The LORD says that because you have disobeyed him, he has now abandoned you. The LORD will not help you against Shishak!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Rehoboam and the leaders were sorry for what they had done and admitted, “The LORD is right. We have deserted him.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When the LORD heard this, he told Shemaiah: The people of Judah are truly sorry for their sins, and so I won't let Shishak completely destroy them. But because I am still angry,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
he will conquer and rule them. Then my people will know what it's like to serve a foreign king instead of serving me.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Shishak attacked Jerusalem and took all the valuable things from the temple and from the palace, including Solomon's gold shields.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Whenever Rehoboam went to the LORD's temple, the guards carried the shields. But they always took them back to the guardroom as soon as he had finished worshiping.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Rehoboam turned back to the LORD, and so the LORD did not let Judah be completely destroyed, and Judah was prosperous again.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Rehoboam was 41 years old when he became king, and he ruled 17 years from Jerusalem, the city where the LORD had chosen to be worshiped. His mother Naamah was from Ammon. Rehoboam was a powerful king,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything else Rehoboam did while he was king, including a history of his family, is written in the records of the two prophets, Shemaiah and Iddo. During Rehoboam's rule, he and King Jeroboam of Israel were constantly at war.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Rehoboam died, he was buried beside his ancestors in Jerusalem, and his son Abijah became king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and he ruled from Jerusalem for three years. His mother was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel from Gibeah. Some time later, Abijah and King Jeroboam of Israel went to war against each other.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Abijah went to the top of Mount Zemaraim in the hills of Ephraim and shouted: Listen, Jeroboam and all you Israelites!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD God of Israel has made a solemn promise that every king of Israel will be from David's family.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then right after Rehoboam became king, you and your bunch of worthless followers challenged Rehoboam, who was too young to know how to stop you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Now you and your powerful army think you can stand up to the kingdom that the LORD has given to David's descendants. The only gods you have are those gold statues of calves that Jeroboam made for you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
You don't even have descendants of Aaron on your side, because you forced out the LORD's priests and Levites. In their place, you appoint ordinary people to be priests, just as the foreign nations do. In fact, anyone who brings a bull and seven rams to the altar can become a priest of your so-called gods.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But we have not turned our backs on the LORD God! Aaron's own descendants serve as our priests, and the Levites are their assistants.


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contenido:
Two times every day they offer sacrifices and burn incense to the LORD. They set out the sacred loaves of bread on a table that has been purified, and they light the lamps in the gold lampstand every day at sunset. We follow the commands of the LORD our God—you have rejected him!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
That's why God is on our side and will lead us into battle when the priests sound the signal on the trumpets. It's no use, Israelites. You might as well give up. There's no way you can defeat the LORD, the God your ancestors worshiped.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But while Abijah was talking, Jeroboam had sent some of his troops to attack Judah's army from behind, while the rest attacked from the front.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Judah's army realized they were trapped, and so they prayed to the LORD. The priests blew the signal on the trumpet,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and the troops let out a battle cry. Then with Abijah leading them into battle, God defeated Jeroboam and Israel's army.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Abijah kept up his attack on Jeroboam's army and captured the Israelite towns of Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron, as well as the villages around them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jeroboam never regained his power during the rest of Abijah's rule. The LORD punished Jeroboam, and he died, but Abijah became more powerful.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Abijah died and was buried in Jerusalem. Then his son Asa became king, and Judah had ten years of peace.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He destroyed the local shrines and the altars to foreign gods. He smashed the stone images of gods and cut down the sacred poles used in worshiping the goddess Asherah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he told everyone in Judah to worship the LORD God, just as their ancestors had done, and to obey his laws and teachings.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD blessed Judah with peace while Asa was king, and so during that time, Asa fortified many of the towns.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He said to the people, “Let's build walls and defense towers for these towns, and put in gates that can be locked with bars. This land still belongs to us, because we have obeyed the LORD our God. He has given us peace from all our enemies.” The people did everything Asa had suggested.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Asa had a large army of brave soldiers: 300,000 of them were from the tribe of Judah and were armed with shields and spears; 280,000 were from Benjamin and were armed with shields and bows.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Zerah from Ethiopia led an army of 1,000,000 soldiers and 300 chariots to the town of Mareshah in Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Asa prayed: LORD God, only you can help a powerless army defeat a stronger one. So we depend on you to help us. We will fight against this powerful army to honor your name, and we know that you won't be defeated. You are the LORD our God.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
but Asa and his troops chased them as far as Gerar. It was a total defeat—the Ethiopians could not even fight back! The soldiers from Judah took everything that had belonged to the Ethiopians.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The people who lived in the villages around Gerar learned what had happened and were afraid of the LORD. So Judah's army easily defeated them and carried off everything of value that they wanted from these towns.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They also attacked the camps where the shepherds lived and took a lot of sheep, goats, and camels. Then they went back to Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
At once, Azariah went to Asa and said: Listen to me, King Asa and you people of Judah and Benjamin. The LORD will be with you and help you, as long as you obey and worship him. But if you disobey him, he will desert you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For a long time, the people of Israel did not worship the true God or listen to priests who could teach them about God. They refused to obey God's Law.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Nations were destroying each other, and cities were wiping out other cities, because God was causing trouble and unrest everywhere.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As soon as Asa heard what Azariah the prophet said, he gave orders for all the idols in Judah and Benjamin to be destroyed, including those in the towns he had captured in the territory of Ephraim. He also repaired the LORD's altar that was in front of the temple porch.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Asa called together the people from Judah and Benjamin, as well as the people from the territories of Ephraim, West Manasseh, and Simeon who were living in Judah. Many of these people were now loyal to Asa, because they had seen that the LORD was with him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
That same day, they took 700 bulls and 7,000 sheep and goats from what they had brought back from Gerar and sacrificed them as offerings to the LORD.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The crowd solemnly agreed to keep their promise to the LORD, then they celebrated by shouting and blowing trumpets and horns.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everyone was happy because they had made this solemn promise, and in return, the LORD blessed them with peace from all their enemies.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Asa's grandmother Maacah had made a disgusting idol of the goddess Asherah, so he cut it down, crushed it, and burned it in Kidron Valley. Then he removed Maacah from her position as queen mother.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As long as Asa lived, he was faithful to the LORD, even though he did not destroy the local shrines in Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He placed in the temple all the silver and gold objects that he and his father had dedicated to God.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's rule, King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and captured the town of Ramah. He started making the town stronger, and he put troops there to stop people from going in and out of Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Asa heard about this, he took the silver and gold from his palace and from the LORD's temple. Then he sent it to Damascus with this message for King Benhadad of Syria:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“I think we should sign a peace treaty, just as our fathers did. This silver and gold is a present for you. Would you please break your treaty with King Baasha of Israel and force him to leave my country?”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Benhadad did what Asa asked and sent the Syrian army into Israel. They captured the towns of Ijon, Dan, Abel-Maim, and all the towns in Naphtali where supplies were kept.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Asa ordered everyone in Judah to carry away the stones and wood Baasha had used to fortify Ramah. Then he fortified the towns of Geba and Mizpah with these same stones and wood.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Soon after that happened, Hanani the prophet went to Asa and said: You depended on the king of Syria instead of depending on the LORD your God. And so, you will never defeat the Syrian army.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Remember how powerful the Ethiopian and Libyan army was, with all their chariots and cavalry troops! You trusted the LORD to help you then, and you defeated them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD is constantly watching everyone, and he gives strength to those who faithfully obey him. But you have done a foolish thing, and your kingdom will never be at peace again.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Asa heard this, he was so angry that he put Hanani in prison. Asa was also cruel to some of his people.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the thirty-ninth year of his rule, he got a very bad foot disease, but he relied on doctors and refused to ask the LORD for help.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Earlier, Asa had his own tomb cut out of a rock hill in Jerusalem. So he was buried there, and the tomb was filled with spices and sweet-smelling oils. Then the people built a bonfire in his honor.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He assigned troops to the fortified cities in Judah, as well as to other towns in Judah and to those towns in Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Jehoshaphat's father had first become king of Judah, he was faithful to the LORD and refused to worship the god Baal as the kings of Israel did. Jehoshaphat followed his father's example and obeyed and worshiped the LORD. And so the LORD blessed Jehoshaphat


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and helped him keep firm control of his kingdom. The people of Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, but even after he became very rich and respected,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
he remained completely faithful to the LORD. He destroyed all the local shrines in Judah, including the places where the goddess Asherah was worshiped.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the third year of Jehoshaphat's rule, he chose five officials and gave them orders to teach the LORD's Law in every city and town in Judah. They were Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Their assistants were the following nine Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah. Two priests, Elishama and Jehoram, also went along.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Philistines brought him silver and other gifts to keep peace. Some of the Arab people brought him 7,700 rams and the same number of goats.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
from the Judah and Benjamin tribes. These soldiers were grouped according to their clans. Adnah was the commander of the troops from Judah, and he had 300,000 soldiers under his command.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Amasiah son of Zichri, who had volunteered to serve the LORD, was third in command, with 200,000 soldiers under him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Eliada was a brave warrior who commanded the troops from Benjamin. He had 200,000 soldiers under his command, all of them armed with bows and shields.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
These were the troops who protected the king in Jerusalem, not counting those he had assigned to the fortified cities throughout the country.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoshaphat was now very rich and famous. He signed a treaty with King Ahab of Israel by arranging the marriage of his son and Ahab's daughter.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
One day, Jehoshaphat went to visit Ahab in his capital city of Samaria. Ahab slaughtered sheep and cattle and prepared a big feast to honor Jehoshaphat and the officials with him. Ahab talked about attacking the city of Ramoth in Gilead,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and finally asked, “Jehoshaphat, would you go with me to attack Ramoth?” “Yes,” Jehoshaphat answered. “My army is at your command.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ahab sent for 400 prophets and asked, “Should I attack the city of Ramoth?” “Yes!” the prophets answered. “God will help you capture the city.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
All this time, Ahab and Jehoshaphat were dressed in their royal robes and were seated on their thrones at the threshing place near the gate of Samaria, listening to the prophets tell them what the LORD had said.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
All the prophets agreed that Ahab should attack the Syrians at Ramoth and promised that the LORD would help him defeat them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Micaiah went up to Ahab, who asked, “Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth?” “Yes!” Micaiah answered. “The LORD will help you capture the city.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ahab shouted, “Micaiah, I've told you over and over to tell me the truth! What does the LORD really say?”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Micaiah answered, “In a vision I saw Israelite soldiers wandering around, lost in the hills like sheep without a shepherd. The LORD said, ‘These troops have no leader. They should go home and not fight.’ ”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Micaiah replied: I then saw the LORD seated on his throne with every creature in heaven gathered around him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“I'll make Ahab's prophets lie to him.” “Good!” the LORD replied. “Now go and do it. You will be successful.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ahab, this is exactly what has happened. The LORD made all your prophets lie to you, and he knows you will soon be destroyed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Zedekiah walked over and slapped Micaiah on the face. Then he asked, “Do you really think the LORD would speak to you and not to me?”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Before they went into battle, Ahab said, “Jehoshaphat, I'll disguise myself, but you wear your royal robe.” Ahab disguised himself and went into battle.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So when they saw Jehoshaphat in his robe, they thought he was Ahab and started to attack him. But Jehoshaphat prayed, and the LORD made the Syrian soldiers stop.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
However, during the fighting a soldier shot an arrow without even aiming, and it hit Ahab between two pieces of his armor. He shouted to his chariot driver, “I've been hit! Get me out of here!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The fighting lasted all day, with Ahab propped up in his chariot so he could see the Syrian troops. He stayed there until evening, and by sundown he was dead.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But the prophet Jehu son of Hanani met him and said: By helping that wicked Ahab, you have made friends with someone who hates the LORD. Now the LORD God is angry with you!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But not everything about you is bad. You destroyed the sacred poles used in worshiping the goddess Asherah—that shows you have tried to obey the LORD.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he often traveled through his kingdom, from Beersheba in the south to the edge of the hill country of Ephraim in the north. He talked with the people and convinced them to turn back to the LORD God and worship him, just as their ancestors had done.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and told them: Be careful when you make your decisions in court, because you are judging by the LORD's standards and not by human standards, and he will know what you decide.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So do your work in honor of him and know that he won't allow you to be unfair to anyone or to take bribes.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoshaphat also chose some Levites, some priests, and some of the family leaders, and he appointed them to serve as judges in Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The people of Judah will bring you legal cases that involve every type of crime, including murder. You must settle these cases and warn the people to stop sinning against the LORD, so that he won't get angry and punish Judah. Remember, if you follow these instructions, you won't be held responsible for anything that happens.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Amariah the high priest will have the final say in any religious case. And Zebadiah, the leader of the Judah tribe, will have the final say in all other cases. The rest of the Levites will serve as your assistants. Be brave, and I pray that the LORD will help you do right.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Some time later, the armies of Moab and Ammon, together with the Meunites, went to war against Jehoshaphat.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Messengers told Jehoshaphat, “A large army from Edom east of the Dead Sea has invaded our country. They have already reached En-Gedi.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he asked the LORD what to do. He then told the people of Judah to go without eating to show their sorrow.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After everyone from Judah and Jerusalem had come together at the LORD's temple, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the new courtyard


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and prayed: You, LORD, are the God our ancestors worshiped, and from heaven you rule every nation in the world. You are so powerful that no one can defeat you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Our God, you forced out the nations who lived in this land before your people Israel came here, and you gave it to the descendants of your friend Abraham forever.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They believed that whenever this land is struck by war or disease or famine, your people can pray to you at the temple, and you will hear their prayer and save them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
You can see that the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Edom are attacking us! Those are the nations you would not let our ancestors invade on their way from Egypt, so these nations were not destroyed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Aren't you going to punish them? We won't stand a chance when this army attacks. We don't know what to do—we are begging for your help.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Jahaziel said: Your Majesty and everyone from Judah and Jerusalem, the LORD says that you don't need to be afraid or let this powerful army discourage you. God will fight on your side!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So here's what you must do. Tomorrow the enemy armies will march through the desert around the town of Jeruel. March down and meet them at the town of Ziz as they come up the valley.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
You won't even have to fight. Just take your positions and watch the LORD rescue you from your enemy. Don't be afraid. Just do as you're told. And as you march out tomorrow, the LORD will be there with you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then some Levites from the Kohath and Korah clans stood up and shouted praises to the LORD God of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Early the next morning, as everyone got ready to leave for the desert near Tekoa, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Listen my friends, if we trust the LORD God and believe what these prophets have told us, the LORD will help us, and we will be successful.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he explained his plan and appointed men to march in front of the army and praise the LORD for his holy power by singing: “Praise the LORD! His love never ends.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
so that the Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Judah's army reached the tower that overlooked the desert, they saw that every soldier in the enemy's army was lying dead on the ground.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So Jehoshaphat and his troops went into the camp to carry away everything of value. They found a large herd of livestock, a lot of equipment, clothes, and other valuable things. It took them three days to carry it all away, and there was still some left over.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then on the fourth day, everyone came together in Beracah Valley and sang praises to the LORD. That's why that place was called Praise Valley.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoshaphat led the crowd back to Jerusalem. And as they marched, they played harps and blew trumpets. They were very happy because the LORD had given them victory over their enemies, so when they reached the city, they went straight to the temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled from Jerusalem for 25 years. His mother was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
but he did not destroy the local shrines. So the people still worshiped foreign gods, instead of faithfully serving the God their ancestors had worshiped.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything else Jehoshaphat did while he was king is written in the records of Jehu son of Hanani that are included in The History of the Kings of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But the prophet Eliezer warned Jehoshaphat, “The LORD will destroy these ships because you have supported Ahaziah.” The ships were wrecked and never sailed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Jehoshaphat had seven sons: Jehoram, Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoshaphat gave each of them silver and gold, as well as other valuable gifts. He also put them in charge of the fortified cities in Judah, but he had chosen his oldest son Jehoram to succeed him as king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After Jehoram had taken control of Judah, he had his brothers killed, as well as some of the nation's leaders.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoram married Ahab's daughter and followed the sinful example of Ahab's family and the other kings of Israel. He disobeyed the LORD by doing wrong,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
but because the LORD had made a solemn promise to King David that someone from his family would always rule in Judah, he refused to wipe out David's descendants.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoram, his officers, and his cavalry marched to Edom, where the Edomite army surrounded them. He escaped during the night,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
but Judah was never able to regain control of Edom. Even the town of Libnah rebelled at that time. Those things happened because Jehoram had turned away from the LORD, the God his ancestors had worshiped.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoram even built local shrines in the hills of Judah and let the people sin against the LORD by worshiping foreign gods.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
One day, Jehoram received a letter from Elijah the prophet that said: I have a message for you from the LORD God your ancestor David worshiped. He knows that you have not followed the example of Jehoshaphat your father or Asa your grandfather.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Instead you have acted like those sinful kings of Israel and have encouraged the people of Judah to stop worshiping the LORD, just as Ahab and his descendants did. You even murdered your own brothers, who were better men than you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Because you have done these terrible things, the LORD will severely punish the people in your kingdom, including your own family, and he will destroy everything you own.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD later caused the Philistines and the Arabs who lived near the Ethiopians to become angry with Jehoram.


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contenido:
They invaded Judah and stole the royal property from the palace, and they led Jehoram's wives and sons away as prisoners. The only one left behind was Ahaziah, his youngest son.


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contenido:
About two years later, Jehoram died in terrible pain. No bonfire was built to honor him, even though the people had done this for his ancestors.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king, and he ruled 8 years from Jerusalem. He died, and no one even felt sad. He was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal tombs.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Earlier, when the Arabs led a raid against Judah, they killed all of Jehoram's sons, except Ahaziah, the youngest one. So the people of Jerusalem crowned him their king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He was 22 years old at the time, and he ruled only one year from Jerusalem. Ahaziah's mother was Athaliah, a granddaughter of King Omri of Israel,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and she encouraged her son to sin against the LORD. He followed the evil example of King Ahab and his descendants.


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contenido:
In fact, after his father's death, Ahaziah sinned against the LORD by appointing some of Ahab's relatives to be his advisors. Their advice led to his downfall.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He listened to them and went with King Joram of Israel to attack King Hazael and the Syrian troops at Ramoth in Gilead. Joram was wounded in that battle,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
It was during that visit that God had Ahaziah put to death. When Ahaziah arrived at Jezreel, he and Joram went to meet with Jehu grandson of Nimshi. The LORD had already told Jehu to kill every male in Ahab's family,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and while Jehu was doing that, he saw some of Judah's leaders and Ahaziah's nephews who had come with Ahaziah. Jehu killed them on the spot,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
then gave orders to find Ahaziah. Jehu's officers found him hiding in Samaria. They brought Ahaziah to Jehu, who immediately put him to death. They buried Ahaziah only because they respected Jehoshaphat his grandfather, who had done his best to obey the LORD. There was no one from Ahaziah's family left to become king of Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As soon as Athaliah heard that her son King Ahaziah was dead, she decided to kill any relative who could possibly become king. She would have done just that,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
but Jehosheba rescued Joash son of Ahaziah just as the others were about to be murdered. Jehosheba, who was Jehoram's daughter and Ahaziah's half sister, was married to Jehoiada the priest. So she was able to hide her nephew Joash and his personal servant in a bedroom in the LORD's temple where he was safe from Athaliah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After Ahaziah's son Joash had hidden in the temple for six years, Jehoiada the priest knew that something had to be done. So he made sure he had the support of several army officers. They were Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
These five men went to the towns in Judah and called together the Levites and the clan leaders. They all came to Jerusalem


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and gathered at the temple, where they agreed to help Joash. Jehoiada said to them: Joash will be our next king, because long ago the LORD promised that one of David's descendants would always be king.


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contenido:
Here is what we will do. Three groups of priests and Levites will be on guard duty on the Sabbath—one group will guard the gates of the temple,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
one will guard the palace, and the other will guard Foundation Gate. The rest of you will stand guard in the temple courtyards.


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contenido:
Only the priests and Levites who are on duty will be able to enter the temple, because they will be the only ones who have gone through the ceremony to make themselves clean and acceptable. The others must stay outside in the courtyards, just as the LORD has commanded.


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contenido:
You Levites must protect King Joash. Don't let him out of your sight! And keep your swords ready to kill anyone who comes into the temple.


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contenido:
The Levites and the people of Judah followed Jehoiada's orders. The guards going off duty were not allowed to go home, and so each commander had all his guards available—those going off duty as well as those coming on duty.


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contenido:
Jehoiada went into the temple and brought out the swords and shields that had belonged to King David, and he gave them to the commanders.


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contenido:
They gave the weapons to the guards, and Jehoiada then made sure that the guards took their positions around the temple and the altar to protect the king on every side.


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contenido:
Jehoiada and his sons brought Joash outside, where they placed the crown on his head and gave him a copy of the instructions for ruling the nation. Olive oil was poured on his head to show that he was now king, and the crowd cheered and shouted, “Long live the king!”


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contenido:
There she saw Joash standing by one of the columns near the entrance, which was the usual place for the king. The commanders and the trumpet players were standing next to him, and the musicians were playing instruments and leading the people as they celebrated and blew trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes in anger and shouted, “You betrayed me, you traitors!”


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contenido:
At once, Jehoiada said to the army commanders, “Don't kill her near the LORD's temple. Take her out in front of the troops, and be sure to kill all of her followers!”


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contenido:
She tried to escape, but the commanders caught and killed her near the gate where horses are led into the palace.


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contenido:
Jehoiada asked King Joash and the people to join with him in being faithful to the LORD. They agreed,


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contenido:
then rushed to the temple of the god Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and the idols and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.


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contenido:
Jehoiada assigned the priests and Levites their duties at the temple, just as David had done. They were in charge of offering sacrifices to the LORD according to the Law of Moses, and they were responsible for leading the celebrations with singing.


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contenido:
Finally, Jehoiada called together the army commanders, the most important citizens of Judah, and the government officials. The crowd of people followed them as they led Joash from the temple, through the Upper Gate, and into the palace, where he took his place as king of Judah.


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contenido:
Joash was only 7 years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled 40 years from Jerusalem. His mother Zibiah was from the town of Beersheba.


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contenido:
He called together the priests and Levites and said, “Go everywhere in Judah and collect the annual tax from the people. I want this done at once—we need that money to repair the temple.” But the Levites were in no hurry to follow the king's orders.


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contenido:
So he sent for Jehoiada the high priest and asked, “Why didn't you send the Levites to collect the taxes? The LORD's servant Moses and the people agreed long ago that this tax would be collected and used to pay for the upkeep of the sacred tent.


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contenido:
And now we need it to repair the temple because the sons of that evil woman Athaliah came in and wrecked it. They even used some of the sacred objects to worship the god Baal.”


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contenido:
Joash gave orders for a wooden box to be made and had it placed outside, near the gate of the temple.


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contenido:
He then sent letters everywhere in Judah and Jerusalem, asking everyone to bring their taxes to the temple, just as Moses had required their ancestors to do.


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contenido:
The people and their leaders agreed, and they brought their money to Jerusalem and placed it in the box.


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contenido:
Each day, after the Levites took the box into the temple, the king's secretary and the high priest's assistant would dump out the money and count it. Then the empty box would be taken back outside. This happened day after day, and soon a large amount of money was collected.


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contenido:
Joash and Jehoiada turned the money over to the men who were supervising the repairs to the temple. They used the money to hire stonecutters, carpenters, and experts in working with iron and bronze.


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contenido:
These workers went right to work repairing the temple, and when they were finished, it looked as good as new.


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contenido:
They did not use all the tax money for the repairs, so the rest of it was handed over to Joash and Jehoiada, who then used it to make dishes and other gold and silver objects for the temple. Sacrifices to please the LORD were offered regularly in the temple for as long as Jehoiada lived.


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contenido:
and he was buried in the royal tombs in Jerusalem, because he had done so much good for the people of Israel, for God, and for the temple.


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contenido:
After the death of Jehoiada the priest, the leaders of Judah went to Joash and talked him into doing what they wanted.


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contenido:
The people of Judah soon stopped worshiping in the temple of the LORD God and started worshiping idols and the symbols of the goddess Asherah. These sinful things made the LORD God angry with the people of Judah and Jerusalem,


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contenido:
God's Spirit spoke to Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, and Zechariah told everyone that God was saying: “Why are you disobeying me and my laws? This will only bring punishment! You have deserted me, so now I will desert you.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Joash forgot that Zechariah's father had always been a loyal friend. So when the people of Judah plotted to kill Zechariah, Joash joined them and gave orders for them to stone him to death in the courtyard of the temple. As Zechariah was dying, he said, “I pray that the LORD will see this and punish all of you.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the spring of the following year, the Syrian army invaded Judah and Jerusalem, killing all of the nation's leaders. They collected everything of value that belonged to the people and took it back to their king in Damascus.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The Syrian army was very small, but the LORD let them defeat Judah's large army, because he was punishing Joash and the people of Judah for turning away from him.


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contenido:
Joash was severely wounded during the battle, and as soon as the Syrians left Judah, two of his officials, Zabad and Jehozabad, decided to revenge the death of Zechariah. They plotted and killed Joash while he was in bed, recovering from his wounds. Joash was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal tombs.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The History of the Kings also tells more about the sons of Joash, what the prophets said about him, and how he repaired the temple. Amaziah son of Joash became king after his father's death.


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contenido:
Amaziah was 25 years old when he became king, and he ruled 29 years from Jerusalem, the hometown of his mother Jehoaddin.


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contenido:
For example, as soon as he had control of Judah, he arrested and killed the officers who had murdered his father.


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contenido:
But the children of those officers were not killed; the LORD had commanded in the Law of Moses that only the people who sinned were to be punished.


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contenido:
Amaziah sent a message to the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and called together all the men who were 20 years old and older. Three hundred thousand men went to Jerusalem, all of them ready for battle and able to fight with spears and shields. Amaziah grouped these soldiers according to their clans and put them under the command of his army officers.


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contenido:
One of God's prophets said, “Your Majesty, don't let these Israelite soldiers march into battle with you. The LORD has refused to help anyone from the northern kingdom of Israel,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and so he will let your enemies defeat you, even if you fight hard. He is the one who brings both victory and defeat.”


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contenido:
Amaziah replied, “What am I supposed to do about all the silver I paid those troops?” “The LORD will give you back even more than you paid,” the prophet answered.


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contenido:
Amaziah ordered the troops from Israel to go home, but when they left, they were furious with the people of Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After Amaziah got his courage back, he led his troops to Salt Valley, where he killed 10,000 Edomite soldiers in battle.


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contenido:
He captured 10,000 more soldiers and dragged them to the top of a high cliff. Then he pushed them over the side, and they all were killed on the rocks below.


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contenido:
Meanwhile, the Israelite troops that Amaziah had sent home, raided the towns in Judah between Samaria and Beth-Horon. They killed 3,000 people and carried off their possessions.


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contenido:
After Amaziah had defeated the Edomite army, he returned to Jerusalem. He took with him the idols of the Edomite gods and set them up. Then he bowed down and offered them sacrifices.


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contenido:
This made the LORD very angry, and he sent a prophet to ask Amaziah, “Why would you worship these foreign gods that couldn't even save their own people from your attack?”


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contenido:
But before the prophet finished speaking, Amaziah interrupted and said, “You're not one of my advisors! Don't say another word, or I'll have you killed.” The prophet stopped. But then he added, “First you sinned and now you've ignored my warning. It's clear that God has decided to punish you!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Amaziah of Judah talked with his officials, then sent a message to King Jehoash of Israel: “Come out and face me in battle!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoash sent back a reply that said: Once upon a time, a small thornbush in Lebanon arranged the marriage between his son and the daughter of a large cedar tree. But a wild animal came along and trampled the small bush.


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contenido:
Amaziah, you think you're so powerful because you defeated Edom. But stay at home and do your celebrating. If you cause any trouble, both you and your kingdom of Judah will be destroyed.


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contenido:
God made Amaziah stubborn because he was planning to punish him for worshiping the Edomite gods. Amaziah refused to listen to Jehoash's warning,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and Jehoash captured Amaziah. Jehoash took Amaziah with him when he went to attack Jerusalem. Jehoash broke down the city wall from Ephraim Gate to Corner Gate, a section nearly 200 meters long.


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contenido:
He carried away the gold, the silver, and all the valuable furnishings from God's temple where the descendants of Obed-Edom stood guard. He robbed the king's treasury, took hostages, then returned to Samaria.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything else Amaziah did while he was king is written in The History of the Kings of Judah and Israel.


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contenido:
As soon as Amaziah started disobeying the LORD, some people in Jerusalem plotted against Amaziah. He was able to escape to the town of Lachish, but another group of people caught him and killed him there.


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contenido:
After the death of King Amaziah, the people of Judah crowned his son Uzziah king, even though he was only 16 at the time. Uzziah ruled 52 years from Jerusalem, the hometown of his mother Jecoliah. During his rule, he recaptured and rebuilt the town of Elath.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Zechariah was Uzziah's advisor and taught him to obey God. And so, as long as Zechariah was alive, Uzziah was faithful to God, and God made him successful.


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contenido:
While Uzziah was king, he started a war against the Philistines. He smashed the walls of the cities of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, then rebuilt towns around Ashdod and in other parts of Philistia.


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contenido:
Even the Ammonites paid taxes to Uzziah. He became very powerful, and people who lived as far away as Egypt heard about him.


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contenido:
In Jerusalem, Uzziah built fortified towers at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate, and the place where the city wall turned inward.


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contenido:
He also built defense towers out in the desert. He owned such a large herd of livestock in the western foothills and in the flatlands, that he had cisterns dug there to catch the rainwater. He loved farming, so he had crops and vineyards planted in the hill country wherever there was fertile soil, and he hired farmers to take care of them.


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contenido:
Uzziah's army was always ready for battle. Jeiel and Maaseiah were the officers who kept track of the number of soldiers, and these two men were under the command of Hananiah, one of Uzziah's officials.


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contenido:
There were 307,500 trained soldiers, all under the command of 2,600 clan leaders. These powerful troops protected the king against any enemy.


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contenido:
Some of his skilled workers invented machines that could shoot arrows and sling large stones. Uzziah set these up in Jerusalem at his defense towers and at the corners of the city wall. God helped Uzziah become more and more powerful, and he was famous all over the world.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Uzziah became proud of his power, and this led to his downfall. One day, Uzziah disobeyed the LORD his God by going into the temple and burning incense as an offering to him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and said, “Your Majesty, this isn't right! You are not allowed to burn incense to the LORD. That must be done only by priests who are descendants of Aaron. You will have to leave! You have sinned against the LORD, and so he will no longer bless you.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Uzziah, who was standing next to the incense altar at the time, was holding the incense burner, ready to offer incense to the LORD. He became very angry when he heard Azariah's warning, and leprosy suddenly appeared on his forehead!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Azariah and the other priests saw it and immediately told him to leave the temple. Uzziah realized that the LORD had punished him, so he hurried to get outside.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Uzziah had leprosy the rest of his life. He was no longer allowed in the temple or in his own palace. That's why his son Jotham lived there and ruled in his place.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything else Uzziah did while he was king is in the records written by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Since Uzziah had leprosy, he could not be buried in the royal tombs. Instead, he was buried in a nearby cemetery that the kings owned. His son Jotham then became king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jotham was 25 years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled from Jerusalem for 16 years. Jerushah his mother was the daughter of Zadok.


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contenido:
Jotham obeyed the LORD and did right. He followed the example of his father Uzziah, except he never burned incense in the temple as his father had done. But the people of Judah kept sinning against the LORD.


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contenido:
Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple and did a lot of work to repair the wall near Mount Ophel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
During his rule he attacked and defeated the Ammonites. Then every year for the next three years, he forced them to pay 3.4 tons of silver, 1,000 tons of wheat, and 1,000 tons of barley.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything else Jotham did while he was king, including the wars he fought, is written in The History of the Kings of Israel and Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled from Jerusalem for 16 years. Ahaz was nothing like his ancestor David. Ahaz disobeyed the LORD


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and he offered sacrifices in Hinnom Valley. Worst of all, Ahaz sacrificed his own sons, which was a disgusting custom of the nations that the LORD had forced out of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ahaz and the people of Judah sinned and turned away from the LORD, the God their ancestors had worshiped. So the LORD punished them by letting their enemies defeat them. The king of Syria attacked Judah and took many of its people to Damascus as prisoners. King Pekah of Israel later defeated Judah and killed 120,000 of its bravest soldiers in one day.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
During that battle, an Israelite soldier named Zichri killed three men from Judah: Maaseiah the king's son; Azrikam, the official in charge of the palace; and Elkanah, the king's second in command.


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contenido:
The Israelite troops captured 200,000 women and children and took them back to their capital city of Samaria, along with a large amount of their possessions. They did these things even though the people of Judah were their own relatives.


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contenido:
Oded lived in Samaria and was one of the LORD's prophets. He met Israel's army on their way back from Judah and said to them: The LORD God of your ancestors let you defeat Judah's army only because he was angry with them. But you should not have been so cruel!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
If you make slaves of the people of Judah and Jerusalem, you will be as guilty as they are of sinning against the LORD.


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contenido:
Send these prisoners back home—they are your own relatives. If you don't, the LORD will punish you in his anger.


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contenido:
About the same time, four of Israel's leaders arrived. They were Azariah son of Johanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai. They agreed with Oded that the Israelite troops were wrong,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and they said: If you bring these prisoners into Samaria, that will be one more thing we've done to sin against the LORD. And he is already angry enough with us.


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contenido:
So in front of the leaders and the crowd, the troops handed over their prisoners and the property they had taken from Judah.


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contenido:
The four leaders took some of the stolen clothes and gave them to the prisoners who needed something to wear. They later gave them all a new change of clothes and shoes, then fixed them something to eat and drink, and cleaned their wounds with olive oil. They gave donkeys to those who were too weak to walk, and led all of them back to Jericho, the city known for its palm trees. The leaders then returned to Samaria.


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contenido:
Some time later, the Edomites attacked the eastern part of Judah again and carried away prisoners. And at the same time, the Philistines raided towns in the western foothills and in the Southern Desert. They conquered the towns of Beth-Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo, including the villages around them. Then some of the Philistines went to live in these places. Ahaz sent a message to King Tiglath Pileser of Assyria and begged for help.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But God was punishing Judah with these disasters, because Ahaz had disobeyed him and refused to stop Judah from sinning.


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contenido:
Ahaz gave him gifts from the LORD's temple and the king's palace, as well as from the homes of Israel's other leaders. The Assyrian king still refused to help Ahaz.


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contenido:
Even after all these terrible things happened to Ahaz, he sinned against the LORD even worse than before.


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contenido:
He said to himself, “The Syrian gods must have helped their kings defeat me. Maybe if I offer sacrifices to those gods, they will help me.” That was the sin that finally led to the downfall of Ahaz, as well as to the destruction of Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ahaz collected all the furnishings of the temple and smashed them to pieces. Then he locked the doors to the temple and set up altars to foreign gods on every street corner in Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In every city and town in Judah he built local shrines to worship foreign gods. All of this made the LORD God of his ancestors very angry.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything else Ahaz did while he was king is written in The History of the Kings of Judah and Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ahaz died and was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal tombs. His son Hezekiah then became king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled 29 years from Jerusalem. His mother was Abijah daughter of Zechariah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the first month of the first year of Hezekiah's rule, he unlocked the doors to the LORD's temple and had them repaired.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and said: It's time to purify the temple of the LORD God of our ancestors. You Levites must first go through the ceremony to make yourselves clean, then go into the temple and bring out everything that is unclean and unacceptable to the LORD.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Some of our ancestors were unfaithful and disobeyed the LORD our God. Not only did they turn their backs on the LORD, but they also completely ignored his temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They locked the doors, then let the lamps go out and stopped burning incense and offering sacrifices to him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD became terribly angry with the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and everyone was shocked and horrified at what he did to punish them. Not only were


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So I have decided to renew our agreement with the LORD God of Israel. Maybe then he will stop being so angry with us.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Let's not waste any time, my friends. You are the ones who were chosen to be the LORD's priests and to offer him sacrifices.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Hezekiah finished talking, the following Levite leaders went to work: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah from the Kohath clan; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel from the Merari clan; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah from the Gershon clan; Shimri and Jeuel from the Elizaphan clan; Zechariah and Mattaniah from the Asaph clan; Jehuel and Shimei from the Heman clan; Shemaiah and Uzziel from the Jeduthun clan.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
These leaders gathered together the rest of the Levites, and they all went through the ceremony to make themselves clean. Then they began to purify the temple according to the Law of the LORD, just as Hezekiah had commanded.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The priests went into the temple and carried out everything that was unclean. They put these things in the courtyard, and from there, the Levites carried them outside the city to Kidron Valley.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The priests and Levites began their work on the first day of the first month. It took them one week to purify the courtyards of the temple and another week to purify the temple. So on the sixteenth day of that same month


book: 2Chr
contenido:
they went back to Hezekiah and said: Your Majesty, we have finished our work. The entire temple is now pure again, and so is the altar and its utensils, as well as the table for the sacred loaves of bread and its utensils.


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contenido:
And we have brought back all the things that King Ahaz took from the temple during the time he was unfaithful to God. We purified them and put them back in front of the altar.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They brought with them seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven goats as sacrifices to take away the sins of Hezekiah's family and of the people of Judah, as well as to purify the temple. Hezekiah told the priests, who were descendants of Aaron, to sacrifice these animals on the altar.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The priests then killed the goats and splattered the blood on the altar as a sacrifice to take away the sins of everyone in Israel, because Hezekiah had commanded that these sacrifices be made for all the people of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Next, Hezekiah assigned the Levites to their places in the temple. He gave them cymbals, harps, and other stringed instruments, according to the instructions that the LORD had given King David and the two prophets, Gad and Nathan.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The Levites were ready to play the instruments that had belonged to David; the priests were ready to blow the trumpets.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As soon as Hezekiah gave the signal for the sacrifices to be burned on the altar, the musicians began singing praises to the LORD and playing their instruments,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to sing the songs of praise that David and Asaph the prophet had written. And so they bowed down and joyfully sang praises to the LORD.


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contenido:
Hezekiah said to the crowd, “Now that you are once again acceptable to the LORD, bring sacrifices and offerings to give him thanks.” The people did this, and some of them voluntarily brought animals to be offered as sacrifices.


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contenido:
There were not enough priests to skin all these animals, because many of the priests had not taken the time to go through the ceremony to make themselves clean. However, since all the Levites had made themselves clean, they helped the priests until the last animal was skinned.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Besides all the sacrifices that were burned on the altar, the fat from the other animal sacrifices was burned, and the offerings of wine were poured over the altar. So the temple was once again used for worshiping the LORD.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah and the people of Judah celebrated, because God had helped them make this happen so quickly.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Passover wasn't celebrated in the first month, which was the usual time, because many of the priests were still unclean and unacceptable to serve, and because not everyone in Judah had come to Jerusalem for the festival. So Hezekiah, his officials, and the people agreed to celebrate Passover in the second month. Hezekiah sent a message to everyone in Israel and Judah, including those in the territories of Ephraim and West Manasseh, inviting them to the temple in Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover in honor of the LORD God of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everyone from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north was invited. This was the largest crowd of people that had ever celebrated Passover, according to the official records.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah's messengers went everywhere in Israel and Judah with the following letter: People of Israel, now that you have survived the invasion of the Assyrian kings, it's time for you to turn back to the LORD God our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob worshiped. If you do this, he will stop being angry.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Don't follow the example of your ancestors and your Israelite relatives in the north. They were unfaithful to the LORD, and he punished them horribly.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Don't be stubborn like your ancestors. Decide now to obey the LORD our God! Come to Jerusalem and worship him in the temple that will belong to him forever. Then he will stop being angry,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and the enemies that have captured your families will show pity and send them back home. The LORD God is kind and merciful, and if you turn back to him, he will no longer turn his back on you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The messengers went to every town in Ephraim and West Manasseh as far north as the territory of Zebulun, but people laughed and insulted them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Only a few people from the tribes of Asher, West Manasseh, and Zebulun were humble and went to Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the second month, a large crowd of people gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Thin Bread.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then, on the fourteenth day of that same month, the Levites began killing the lambs for Passover, because many of the worshipers were unclean and were not allowed to kill their own lambs. Meanwhile, some of the priests and Levites felt ashamed because they had not gone through the ceremony to make themselves clean. They immediately went through that ceremony and went to the temple, where they offered sacrifices to please the LORD. Then the priests and Levites took their positions, according to the Law of Moses, the servant of God. As the Levites killed the lambs, they handed some of the blood to the priests, who splattered it on the altar.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Most of the people that came from Ephraim, West Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not made themselves clean, but they ignored God's Law and ate the Passover lambs anyway. Hezekiah found out what they had done and prayed, “LORD God, these people are unclean according to the laws of holiness. But they are worshiping you, just as their ancestors did. So, please be kind and forgive them.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The worshipers in Jerusalem were very happy and celebrated the Festival for seven days. The Levites and priests sang praises to the LORD every day and played their instruments.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah thanked the Levites for doing such a good job, leading the celebration. The worshipers celebrated for seven days by offering sacrifices, by eating the sacred meals, and by praising the LORD God of their ancestors.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So Hezekiah gave the people 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep to be offered as sacrifices and to be used as food for the sacred meals. His officials gave 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep, and many more priests agreed to go through the ceremony to make themselves clean.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everyone was very happy, including those from Judah and Israel, the priests and Levites, and the foreigners living in Judah and Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After the Festival, the people went to every town in Judah and smashed the stone images of foreign gods and cut down the sacred poles for worshiping the goddess Asherah. They destroyed all the local shrines and foreign altars in Judah, as well as those in the territories of Benjamin, Ephraim, and West Manasseh. Then everyone went home.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah divided the priests and Levites into groups, according to their duties. Then he assigned them the responsibilities of offering sacrifices to please the LORD and sacrifices to ask his blessing. He also appointed people to serve at the temple and to sing praises at the temple gates.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah provided animals from his own herds and flocks to use for the morning and evening sacrifices, as well as for the sacrifices during the Sabbath celebrations, the New Moon Festivals, and the other religious feasts required by the Law of the LORD.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He told the people of Jerusalem to bring the offerings that were to be given to the priests and Levites, so that they would have time to serve the LORD with their work.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As soon as the people heard what the king wanted, they brought a tenth of everything they owned, including their best grain, wine, olive oil, honey, and other crops.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The people from the other towns of Judah brought a tenth of their herds and flocks, as well as a tenth of anything they had dedicated to the LORD.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The people started bringing their offerings to Jerusalem in the third month, and the last ones arrived four months later.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The high priest at the time was Azariah, a descendant of Zadok, and he replied, “Ever since the people have been bringing us their offerings, we have had more than enough food and supplies. The LORD has certainly blessed his people. Look at how much is left over!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
all the extra offerings were taken there. Hezekiah and Azariah then appointed Conaniah the Levite to be in charge of these storerooms. His brother Shimei was his assistant, and the following Levites worked with them: Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Kore son of Imnah was assigned to guard the East Gate, and he was put in charge of receiving the offerings voluntarily given to God and of dividing them among the priests and Levites.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He had six assistants who were responsible for seeing that all the priests in the other towns of Judah also got their share of these offerings. They were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah. Every priest and every Levite over 30 years old who worked daily in the temple received part of these offerings, according to their duties.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The priests were listed in the official records by clans, and the Levites 20 years old and older were listed by their duties.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The official records also included their wives and children, because they had also been faithful in keeping themselves clean and acceptable to serve the LORD.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah also appointed other men to take food and supplies to the priests and Levites whose homes were in the pastureland around the towns of Judah. But the priests had to be descendants of Aaron, and the Levites had to be listed in the official records.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything Hezekiah did while he was king of Judah, including what he did for the temple in Jerusalem, was right and good. He was a successful king, because he obeyed the LORD God with all his heart.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After King Hezekiah had faithfully obeyed the LORD's instructions by doing these things, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah. He attacked the fortified cities and thought he would capture every one of them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
he and his officials worked out a plan to cut off the supply of water outside the city, so that the Assyrians would have no water when they came to attack. The officials got together a large work force that stopped up the springs and streams near Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah's workers also repaired the broken sections of the city wall. Then they built defense towers and an outer wall to help protect the one already there. The landfill on the east side of David's City was also strengthened. He gave orders to make a large supply of weapons and shields,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and he appointed army commanders over the troops. Then he gathered the troops together in the open area in front of the city gate and said to them:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Be brave and confident! There's no reason to be afraid of King Sennacherib and his powerful army. We are much more powerful,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
because the LORD our God fights on our side. The Assyrians must rely on human power alone. These words encouraged the army of Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Sennacherib and his troops were camped at the town of Lachish, he sent a message to Hezekiah and the people in Jerusalem. It said:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I am King Sennacherib of Assyria, and I have Jerusalem surrounded. Do you think you can survive my attack?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah your king is telling you that the LORD your God will save you from me. But he is lying, and you'll die of hunger and thirst.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Didn't Hezekiah tear down all except one of the LORD's altars and places of worship? And didn't he tell you people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship at that one place?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
You've heard what my ancestors and I have done to other nations. Were the gods of those nations able to defend their land against us?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
None of those gods kept their people safe from the kings of Assyria. Do you really think your God can do any better?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Don't be fooled by Hezekiah! No god of any nation has ever been able to stand up to Assyria. Believe me, your God cannot keep you safe!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Sennacherib's letter even made fun of the LORD. It said, “The gods of other nations could not save their people from Assyria's army, and neither will the God that Hezekiah worships.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The officials said all these things in Hebrew, so that everyone listening from the city wall would understand and be terrified and surrender.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The officials talked about the LORD God as if he were nothing but an ordinary god or an idol that someone had made.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and he sent an angel that killed every soldier and commander in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib returned to Assyria, completely disgraced. Then one day he went into the temple of his god where some of his sons killed him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD rescued Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from Sennacherib and also protected them from other enemies.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
People brought offerings to Jerusalem for the LORD and expensive gifts for Hezekiah, and from that day on, every nation on earth respected Hezekiah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
About this same time, Hezekiah got sick and was almost dead. He prayed, and the LORD gave him a sign that he would recover.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But Hezekiah was so proud that he refused to thank the LORD for everything he had done for him. This made the LORD angry, and he punished Hezekiah and the people of Judah and Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah and the people later felt sorry and asked the LORD to forgive them. So the LORD did not punish them as long as Hezekiah was king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah was very rich, and everyone respected him. He built special rooms to store the silver, the gold, the precious stones and spices, the shields, and the other valuable possessions.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Storehouses were also built for his supply of grain, wine, and olive oil; barns were built for his cattle, and pens were put up for his sheep.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
God made Hezekiah extremely rich, so he bought even more sheep, goats, and cattle. And he built towns where he could keep all these animals.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
It was Hezekiah who built a tunnel that carried the water from Gihon Spring into the city of Jerusalem. In fact, everything he did was successful!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Even when the leaders of Babylonia sent messengers to ask Hezekiah about the sign God had given him, God let Hezekiah give his own answer to test him and to see if he would remain faithful.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything else Hezekiah did while he was king, including how faithful he was to the LORD, is included in the records kept by Isaiah the prophet. These are written in The History of the Kings of Judah and Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Hezekiah died, he was buried in the section of the royal tombs that was reserved for the most respected kings, and everyone in Judah and Jerusalem honored him. His son Manasseh then became king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He rebuilt the local shrines that his father Hezekiah had torn down. He built altars for the god Baal and set up sacred poles for worshiping the goddess Asherah. And he continued to worship the stars.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and even set up a stone image of a foreign god. Manasseh practiced magic and witchcraft; he asked fortunetellers for advice and sacrificed his own sons in Hinnom Valley. He did many other sinful things and made the LORD very angry. Years ago, God had told David and Solomon: Jerusalem is the place I prefer above all others in Israel. It belongs to me, and there in the temple I will be worshiped forever.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
If my people will faithfully obey all the laws and teaching I gave to my servant Moses, I will never again force them to leave the land I gave to their ancestors.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But the people of Judah and Jerusalem listened to Manasseh and did even more sinful things than the nations the LORD had wiped out.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So he let Assyrian army commanders invade Judah and capture Manasseh. They put a hook in his nose and tied him up in chains, and they took him to Babylon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD listened to Manasseh's prayer and saw how sorry he was, and so he let him go back to Jerusalem and rule as king. Manasseh knew from then on that the LORD was God.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Later, Manasseh rebuilt the eastern section of Jerusalem's outer wall and made it taller. This section went from Gihon Valley north to Fish Gate and around the part of the city called Mount Ophel. He also assigned army officers to each of the fortified cities in Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Manasseh also removed the idols and the stone image of the foreign god from the temple, and he gathered the altars he had built near the temple and in other parts of Jerusalem. He threw all these things outside the city.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he repaired the LORD's altar and offered sacrifices to thank him and sacrifices to ask his blessing. He gave orders that everyone in Judah must worship the LORD God of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything else Manasseh did while he was king, including his prayer to the LORD God and the warnings from his prophets, is written in The History of the Kings of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hozai wrote a lot about Manasseh, including his prayer and God's answer. But Hozai also recorded the evil things Manasseh did before turning back to God, as well as a list of places where Manasseh set up idols, and where he built local shrines and places to worship Asherah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Amon disobeyed the LORD, just as his father Manasseh had done, and he worshiped and offered sacrifices to the idols his father had made.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Manasseh had turned back to the LORD, but Amon refused to do that. Instead, he sinned even more than his father.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Josiah was only 16 years old he began worshiping God, just as his ancestor David had done. Then, 4 years later, he decided to destroy the local shrines in Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the sacred poles for worshiping the goddess Asherah and the idols of foreign gods.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He watched as the altars for the worship of the god Baal were torn down, and as the nearby incense altars were smashed. The Asherah poles, the idols, and the stone images were also smashed, and the pieces were scattered over the graves of their worshipers.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Josiah then had the bones of the pagan priests burned on the altars. And so Josiah got rid of the worship of foreign gods in Judah and Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He did the same things in the towns and ruined villages in the territories of West Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as the border of Naphtali.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everywhere in the northern kingdom of Israel, Josiah tore down pagan altars and Asherah poles; he crushed idols to dust and smashed incense altars. Then Josiah went back to Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the eighteenth year of Josiah's rule in Judah, after he had removed all the sinful things from the land and from the LORD's temple, he sent three of his officials to repair the temple. They were Shaphan son of Azaliah, Governor Maaseiah of Jerusalem, and Joah son of Joahaz, who kept the government records.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
These three men went to Hilkiah the high priest. They gave him the money that the Levite guards had collected from the people of West Manasseh, Ephraim, and the rest of Israel, as well as those living in Judah, Benjamin, and Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the money was turned over to the men who supervised the repairs to the temple. They used some of it to pay the workers,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and they gave the rest of it to the carpenters and builders, who used it to buy the stone and wood they needed to repair the other buildings that Judah's kings had not taken care of.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The workers were honest, and their supervisors were Jahath and Obadiah from the Levite clan of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam from the Levite clan of Kohath. Other Levites, who were all skilled musicians,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
were in charge of carrying supplies and supervising the workers. Other Levites were appointed to stand guard around the temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
While the money was being given to these supervisors, Hilkiah found the book that contained the laws that the LORD had given to Moses.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hilkiah handed the book to Shaphan the official and said, “Look what I found here in the temple—The Book of God's Law.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But there's something else, Your Majesty. The priest Hilkiah gave me this book.” Then Shaphan read it aloud.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
At once he called together Hilkiah, Shaphan, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, and his own servant Asaiah. He said,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“The LORD must be furious with me and everyone else in Israel and Judah, because our ancestors did not obey the laws written in this book. Go find out what the LORD wants us to do.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hilkiah and the four other men left at once and went to talk with Huldah the prophet. Her husband was Shallum, who was in charge of the king's clothes. Huldah lived in the northern part of Jerusalem, and when they met in her home,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Josiah, I am the LORD! And I intend to punish this country and everyone in it, just as this book says.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The people of Judah and Israel have rejected me. They have offered sacrifices to foreign gods and have worshiped their own idols. I can't stand it any longer. I am furious.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Josiah, listen to what I am going to do. I noticed how sad you were when you heard that this country and its people would be completely wiped out. You even tore your clothes in sorrow, and I heard you cry.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So before I destroy this place, I will let you die in peace.” The men left and reported to Josiah what Huldah had said.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he went to the LORD's temple, together with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, the priests, and the Levites. Finally, when everybody was there, he read aloud The Book of God's Law that had been found in the temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After Josiah had finished reading, he stood in the place reserved for the king. He promised in the LORD's name to faithfully obey the LORD and to follow his laws and teachings that were written in the book.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he asked the people of Jerusalem and Benjamin to make that same promise and to obey the God their ancestors had worshiped.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Josiah destroyed all the idols in the territories of Israel, and he commanded everyone in Israel to worship only the LORD God. The people did not turn away from the LORD God of their ancestors for the rest of Josiah's rule as king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Josiah commanded that Passover be celebrated in Jerusalem to honor the LORD. So, on the fourteenth day of the first month, the lambs were killed for the Passover celebration.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He called together the Levites who served the LORD and who taught the people his laws, and he said: No longer will you have to carry the sacred chest from place to place. It will stay in the temple built by King Solomon son of David, where you will serve the LORD and his people Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Divide yourselves into groups, then arrange yourselves throughout the temple so that each family of worshipers will be able to get help from one of you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When the people bring you their Passover lamb, you must kill it and prepare it to be sacrificed to the LORD. Make sure the people celebrate according to the instructions that the LORD gave Moses, and don't do anything to make yourselves unclean and unacceptable.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Josiah donated 30,000 sheep and goats, and 3,000 bulls from his own flocks and herds for the people to offer as sacrifices.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Josiah's officials also voluntarily gave some of their animals to the people, the priests, and the Levites as sacrifices. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, who were the officials in charge of the temple, gave the priests 2,600 sheep and lambs and 300 bulls to sacrifice during the Passover celebration.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Conaniah, his two brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, as well as Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad were leaders of the Levites, and they gave the other Levites 5,000 sheep and goats, and 500 bulls to offer as sacrifices.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When everything was ready to celebrate Passover, the priests and the Levites stood where Josiah had told them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the Levites killed and skinned the Passover lambs, and they handed some of the blood to the priests, who splattered it on the altar.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The Levites set aside the parts of the animal that the worshipers needed for their sacrifices to please the LORD, just as the Law of Moses required. They also did the same thing with the bulls.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They sacrificed the Passover animals on the altar and boiled the meat for the other offerings in pots, kettles, and pans. Then they quickly handed the meat to the people so they could eat it.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
All day long, the priests were busy offering sacrifices and burning the animals' fat on the altar. And when everyone had finished, the Levites prepared Passover animals for themselves and for the priests.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
During the celebration some of the Levites prepared Passover animals for the musicians and the guards, so that the Levite musicians would not have to leave their places, which had been assigned to them according to the instructions of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king's prophet. Even the guards at the temple gates did not have to leave their posts.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So on that day, Passover was celebrated to honor the LORD, and sacrifices were offered on the altar to him, just as Josiah had commanded.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
People from Jerusalem and from towns all over Judah and Israel were there. Passover had not been observed like this since the days of Samuel the prophet. In fact, this was the greatest Passover celebration in Israel's history!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Some time later, King Neco of Egypt led his army to the city of Carchemish on the Euphrates River. And Josiah led his troops north to meet the Egyptians in battle.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Neco sent the following message to Josiah: I'm not attacking you, king of Judah! We're not even at war. But God has told me to quickly attack my enemy. God is on my side, so if you try to stop me, he will punish you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But Josiah ignored Neco's warning, even though it came from God! Instead, he disguised himself and marched into battle against Neco in the valley near Megiddo.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
During the battle an Egyptian soldier shot Josiah with an arrow. Josiah told his servants, “Get me out of here! I've been hit.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They carried Josiah out of his chariot, then put him in the other chariot he had there and took him back to Jerusalem, where he soon died. He was buried beside his ancestors, and everyone in Judah and Jerusalem mourned his death.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jeremiah the prophet wrote a funeral song in honor of Josiah. And since then, anyone in Judah who mourns the death of Josiah sings that song. It is included in the collection of funeral songs.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Neco of Egypt captured Jehoahaz and forced Judah to pay 3.4 tons of silver and 34 kilograms of gold as taxes.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Neco appointed Jehoahaz's brother Eliakim king of Judah and changed his name to Jehoiakim. He led Jehoahaz away to Egypt as his prisoner.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoiakim was 25 years old when he was appointed king, and he ruled 11 years from Jerusalem. Jehoiakim disobeyed the LORD his God by doing evil.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
During Jehoiakim's rule, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia invaded Judah. He arrested Jehoiakim and put him in chains, and he sent him to the capital city of Babylon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar also carried off many of the valuable things in the LORD's temple, and he put them in his palace in Babylon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everything else Jehoiakim did while he was king, including all the disgusting and evil things, is written in The History of the Kings of Israel and Judah. His son Jehoiachin then became king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled only 3 months and 10 days from Jerusalem. Jehoiachin also disobeyed the LORD by doing evil.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the spring of the year, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia had Jehoiachin arrested and taken to Babylon, along with more of the valuable items in the temple. Then Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah king of Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Zedekiah was 21 years old when he was appointed king of Judah, and he ruled from Jerusalem for 11 years.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He disobeyed the LORD his God and refused to change his ways, even after a warning from Jeremiah, the LORD's prophet.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia had forced Zedekiah to promise in God's name that he would be loyal. Zedekiah was stubborn and refused to turn back to the LORD God of Israel, so he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The people of Judah and even the priests who were their leaders became more unfaithful. They followed the disgusting example of the nations around them and made the LORD's holy temple unfit for worship.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But the LORD God felt sorry for his people, and instead of destroying the temple, he sent prophets who warned the people over and over about their sins.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But the people only laughed and insulted these prophets. They ignored what the LORD God was trying to tell them, until he finally became so angry that nothing could stop him from punishing Judah and Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The LORD sent King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia to attack Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar killed the young men who were in the temple, and he showed no mercy to anyone, whether man or woman, young or old. God let him kill everyone in the city.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar carried off everything that was left in the temple; he robbed the treasury and the personal storerooms of the king and his officials. He took everything back to Babylon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar's troops burned down the temple and destroyed every important building in the city. Then they broke down the city wall.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The survivors were taken to Babylonia as prisoners, where they were slaves of the king and his sons, until Persia became a powerful nation.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Judah was an empty desert, and it stayed that way for 70 years, to make up for all the years it was not allowed to rest. These things happened just as Jeremiah the LORD's prophet had said.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the first year that Cyrus was king of Persia, the LORD had Cyrus send a message to all parts of his kingdom. This happened just as Jeremiah the LORD's prophet had promised.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The message said: I am King Cyrus of Persia. The LORD God of heaven has made me the ruler of every nation on earth. He has also chosen me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. The LORD God will watch over any of his people who want to go back to Judah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Years ago the LORD sent Jeremiah with a message about a promise for the people of Israel. Then in the first year that Cyrus was king of Persia, the LORD kept his promise by telling Cyrus to send this official message to all parts of his kingdom:


book: Ezra
contenido:
I am King Cyrus of Persia. The LORD God of heaven, who is also the God of Israel, has made me the ruler of all nations on earth. And he has chosen me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. The LORD God will watch over and encourage any of his people who want to go back to Jerusalem and help build the temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Everyone else must provide what is needed. They must give money, supplies, and animals, as well as gifts for rebuilding God's temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Many people felt that the LORD God wanted them to help rebuild his temple, and they made plans to go to Jerusalem. Among them were priests, Levites, and leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The others helped by giving silver articles, gold, personal possessions, cattle, and other valuable gifts, as well as offerings for the temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
King Cyrus gave back the things that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the LORD's temple in Jerusalem and had put in the temple of his own gods.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Cyrus placed Mithredath, his chief treasurer, in charge of these things. Mithredath counted them and gave a list to Sheshbazzar, the governor of Judah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Included among them were: 30 large gold dishes; 1,000 large silver dishes; 29 other dishes; 30 gold bowls; 410 silver bowls; and 1,000 other articles.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Altogether, there were 5,400 gold and silver dishes, bowls, and other articles. Sheshbazzar took them with him when he and the others returned to Jerusalem from Babylonia.


book: Ezra
contenido:
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia had captured many of the people of Judah and had taken them as prisoners to Babylonia. Now they were on their way back to Jerusalem and to their own towns everywhere in Judah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah were in charge of the ones who were coming back. And here is a list of how many returned from each family group: 2,172 from Parosh; 372 from Shephatiah; 775 from Arah; 2,812 descendants of Jeshua and Joab from Pahath Moab; 1,254 from Elam; 945 from Zattu; 760 from Zaccai; 642 from Bani; 623 from Bebai; 1,222 from Azgad; 666 from Adonikam; 2,056 from Bigvai; 454 from Adin; 98 from Ater, also known as Hezekiah; 323 from Bezai; 112 from Jorah; 223 from Hashum; and 95 from Gibbar.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here is how many people returned whose ancestors had come from the following towns: 123 from Bethlehem; 56 from Netophah; 128 from Anathoth; 42 from Azmaveth; 743 from Kiriatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth; 621 from Ramah and Geba; 122 from Michmas; 223 from Bethel and Ai; 52 from Nebo; 156 from Magbish; 1,254 from the other Elam; 320 from Harim; 725 from Lod, Hadid, and Ono; 345 from Jericho; and 3,630 from Senaah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here is a list of how many returned from each family of priests: 973 descendants of Jeshua from the family of Jedaiah; 1,052 from the family of Immer; 1,247 from the family of Pashhur; and 1,017 from the family of Harim.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And here is a list of how many returned from the families of Levites: 74 descendants of Hodaviah from the families of Jeshua and Kadmiel; 128 descendants of Asaph from the temple musicians; and 139 descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai from the temple guards.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here is a list of the families of temple workers whose descendants returned: Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Keros, Siaha, Padon, Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, Hagab, Shamlai, Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, Besai, Asnah, Meunim, Nephisim, Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, Barkos, Sisera, Temah, Neziah, and Hatipha.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here is a list of Solomon's servants whose descendants returned: Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel, Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth Hazzebaim, and Ami.


book: Ezra
contenido:
There were 652 who returned from the families of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda, though they could not prove that they were Israelites. They had lived in the Babylonian towns of Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The families of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai could not prove that they were priests. The ancestor of the family of Barzillai had married the daughter of Barzillai from Gilead and had taken his wife's family name. But the records of these three families could not be found, and none of them were allowed to serve as priests.


book: Ezra
contenido:
In fact, the governor told them, “You cannot eat the food offered to God until we find out if you really are priests.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
There were 42,360 who returned, in addition to 7,337 servants and 200 musicians, both women and men. They brought with them 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.


book: Ezra
contenido:
When the people came to where the LORD's temple had been in Jerusalem, some of the family leaders gave gifts so it could be rebuilt in the same place.


book: Ezra
contenido:
They gave all they could, and it came to a total of 500 kilograms of gold, 500 kilograms of silver, and 100 robes for the priests.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Everyone returned to the towns from which their families had come, including the priests, the Levites, the musicians, the temple guards, and the workers.


book: Ezra
contenido:
During the seventh month of the year, the Israelites who had settled in their towns went to Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The priest Joshua son of Jozadak, together with the other priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his relatives rebuilt the altar of Israel's God. Then they were able to offer sacrifices there by following the instructions God had given to Moses, the man of God.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And they built the altar where it had stood before, even though they were afraid of the people who were already living around there. Then every morning and evening they burned sacrifices and offerings to the LORD.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The people followed the rules for celebrating the Festival of Shelters and offered the proper sacrifices each day.


book: Ezra
contenido:
They offered sacrifices to please the LORD, sacrifices at each New Moon Festival, and sacrifices at the rest of the LORD's festivals. Every offering the people had brought voluntarily was also presented to the LORD.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Although work on the temple itself had not yet begun, the people started offering sacrifices on the LORD's altar on the first day of the seventh month of that year.


book: Ezra
contenido:
King Cyrus of Persia had said the Israelites could have cedar trees brought from Lebanon to Joppa by sea. So they sent grain, wine, and olive oil to the cities of Tyre and Sidon as payment for these trees, and they gave money to the stoneworkers and carpenters.


book: Ezra
contenido:
During the second month of the second year after the people had returned from Babylonia, they started rebuilding the LORD's temple. Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the priests, the Levites, and everyone else who had returned started working. Every Levite over 20 years of age was put in charge of some part of the work.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The Levites in charge of the whole project were Joshua and his sons and relatives and Kadmiel and his sons from the family of Hodaviah. The family of Henadad worked along with them.


book: Ezra
contenido:
When the builders had finished laying the foundation of the temple, the priests put on their robes and blew trumpets in honor of the LORD, while the Levites from the family of Asaph praised God with cymbals. All of them followed the instructions given years before by King David.


book: Ezra
contenido:
They praised the LORD and gave thanks as they took turns singing: “The LORD is good! His faithful love for Israel will last forever.” Everyone started shouting and praising the LORD because work on the foundation of the temple had begun.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Many of the older priests and Levites and the heads of families wept bitterly because they remembered seeing the first temple years before. But others were so happy that they celebrated with joyful shouts.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Their shouting and crying were so noisy that it all sounded alike and could be heard a long way off.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The enemies of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people had come back to rebuild the temple of the LORD God of Israel.


book: Ezra
contenido:
So they went to Zerubbabel and to the family leaders and said, “Let us help! Ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here, we have worshiped your God and offered sacrifices to him.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
But Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the family leaders answered, “You cannot take part in building a temple for the LORD our God! We will build it ourselves, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then the neighboring people began to do everything possible to frighten the Jews and to make them stop building.


book: Ezra
contenido:
During the time that Cyrus was king and even until Darius became king, they kept bribing government officials to slow down the work.


book: Ezra
contenido:
In the first year that Xerxes was king, the neighboring people brought written charges against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Later, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their advisors got together and wrote a letter to Artaxerxes when he was king of Persia. It was written in Aramaic and had to be translated.


book: Ezra
contenido:
A letter was also written to Artaxerxes about Jerusalem by Governor Rehum, Secretary Shimshai, and their advisors, including the judges, the governors, the officials, and the local leaders. They were joined in writing this letter by people from Erech and Babylonia, the Elamites from Susa, and people from other foreign nations that the great and famous Ashurbanipal had forced to settle in Samaria and other parts of Western Province.


book: Ezra
contenido:
This letter said: Your Majesty King Artaxerxes, we are your servants from everywhere in Western Province, and we send you our greetings.


book: Ezra
contenido:
You should know that the Jews who left your country have moved back to Jerusalem and are now rebuilding that rebellious city. In fact, they have almost finished rebuilding the walls and repairing the foundations.


book: Ezra
contenido:
You should also know that if the walls are completed and the city is rebuilt, the Jews won't pay any kind of taxes, and there will be less money in your treasury.


book: Ezra
contenido:
If you look up the official records of your ancestors, you will find that Jerusalem has constantly rebelled and has led others to rebel against kings and provinces. That's why the city was destroyed in the first place.


book: Ezra
contenido:
If Jerusalem is rebuilt and its walls completed, you will no longer have control over Western Province.


book: Ezra
contenido:
King Artaxerxes answered: Greetings to Governor Rehum, Secretary Shimshai, and to your advisors in Samaria and other parts of Western Province.


book: Ezra
contenido:
I had the old records checked. It is true that for years Jerusalem has rebelled and caused trouble for other kings and nations.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And powerful kings have ruled Western Province from Jerusalem and have collected all kinds of taxes.


book: Ezra
contenido:
As soon as this letter was read, Governor Rehum, Secretary Shimshai, and their advisors went to Jerusalem and forced everyone to stop rebuilding the city.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The Jews were forced to stop work on the temple and were not able to do any more building until the year after Darius became king of Persia.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then the LORD God of Israel told the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to speak in his name to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. And they did.


book: Ezra
contenido:
So Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the priest urged the people to start working on the temple again, and God's prophets encouraged them.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Governor Tattenai of Western Province and his assistant Shethar Bozenai got together with some of their officials. Then they went to Jerusalem and said to the people, “Who told you to rebuild this temple?


book: Ezra
contenido:
But God was looking after the Jewish leaders. So the governor and his group decided not to make the people stop working on the temple until they could report to Darius and get his advice.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We went to Judah, where the temple of the great God is being built with huge stones and wooden beams set in the walls. Everyone is working hard, and the building is going up quickly.


book: Ezra
contenido:
They claimed to be servants of the God who rules heaven and earth. And they said they were rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago by one of Israel's greatest kings.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We were told that their people had made God angry, and he let them be captured by Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king who took them away as captives to Babylonia. Nebuchadnezzar tore down their temple,


book: Ezra
contenido:
took its gold and silver articles, and put them in the temple of his own god in Babylon. They also said that during the first year Cyrus was king of Babylonia, he gave orders for God's temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem where it had stood before. So Cyrus appointed Sheshbazzar governor of Judah and sent these gold and silver articles for him to put in the temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Sheshbazzar then went to Jerusalem and laid the foundation for the temple, and the work is still going on.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Your Majesty, please order someone to look up the old records in Babylonia and find out if King Cyrus really did give orders to rebuild God's temple in Jerusalem. We will do whatever you think we should.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Finally, a scroll was found in Ecbatana, the capital of Media Province, and it said: This official record will show


book: Ezra
contenido:
that in the first year Cyrus was king, he gave orders to rebuild God's temple in Jerusalem, so that sacrifices and offerings could be presented there. It is to be built 27 meters high and 27 meters wide,


book: Ezra
contenido:
with one row of wooden beams for each three rows of large stones. The royal treasury will pay for everything.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then the gold and silver things that Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple and brought to Babylonia are to be returned to their proper places.


book: Ezra
contenido:
King Darius sent this message: Governor Tattenai of Western Province and Shethar Bozenai, you and your advisors must stay away from the temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Starting at once, I am ordering you to help the leaders by paying their expenses from the tax money collected in Western Province.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And don't fail to let the priests in Jerusalem have whatever they need each day so they can offer sacrifices to the God of heaven. Give them young bulls, rams, sheep, as well as wheat, salt, wine, and olive oil.


book: Ezra
contenido:
If any of you don't obey this order, a wooden beam will be taken from your house and sharpened on one end. Then it will be driven through your body, and your house will be torn down and turned into a garbage dump.


book: Ezra
contenido:
I ask the God who is worshiped in Jerusalem to destroy any king or nation who tries either to change what I have said or to tear down his temple. I, Darius, give these orders, and I expect them to be followed carefully.


book: Ezra
contenido:
With great success the Jewish leaders continued working on the temple, while Haggai and Zechariah encouraged them by their preaching. And so, the temple was completed at the command of the God of Israel and by the orders of kings Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes of Persia.


book: Ezra
contenido:
On the third day of the month of Adar in the sixth year of the rule of Darius, the temple was finished.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and everyone else who had returned from exile were happy and celebrated as they dedicated God's temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
One hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs were offered as sacrifices at the dedication. Also twelve goats were sacrificed as sin offerings for the twelve tribes of Israel.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then the priests and Levites were assigned their duties in God's temple in Jerusalem, according to the instructions Moses had written.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The priests and Levites had gone through a ceremony to make themselves acceptable to lead in worship. Then some of them killed Passover lambs for those who had returned, including the other priests and themselves.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The sacrifices were eaten by the Israelites who had returned and by the neighboring people who had given up the sinful customs of other nations in order to worship the LORD God of Israel.


book: Ezra
contenido:
For seven days they celebrated the Festival of Thin Bread. Everyone was happy because the LORD God of Israel had made sure that the king of Assyria would be kind to them and help them build the temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Much later, when Artaxerxes was king of Persia, Ezra came to Jerusalem from Babylonia. Ezra was the son of Seraiah and the grandson of Azariah. His other ancestors were Hilkiah, Shallum, Zadok, Ahitub, Amariah, Azariah, Meraioth, Zerahiah, Uzzi, Bukki, Abishua, Phinehas, Eleazar, and Aaron, the high priest. Ezra was an expert in the Law that the LORD God of Israel had given to Moses, and the LORD made sure that the king gave Ezra everything he asked for.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Other Jews, including priests, Levites, musicians, the temple guards, and servants, came to Jerusalem with Ezra. This happened during the seventh year that Artaxerxes was king.


book: Ezra
contenido:
God helped Ezra, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month of that seventh year, after leaving Babylonia on the first day of the first month.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Ezra was a priest and an expert in the laws and commands that the LORD had given to Israel. One day King Artaxerxes gave Ezra a letter which said:


book: Ezra
contenido:
Greetings from the great King Artaxerxes to Ezra the priest and expert in the teachings of the God of heaven.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Any of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom may go with you to Jerusalem if they want to. My seven advisors and I agree that you may go to Jerusalem and Judah to find out if the laws of your God are being obeyed.


book: Ezra
contenido:
When you go, take the silver and gold that I and my advisors are freely giving to the God of Israel, whose temple is in Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Take the silver and gold that you collect from everywhere in Babylonia. Also take the gifts that your own people and priests have so willingly contributed for the temple of your God in Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Use the money carefully to buy the best bulls, rams, lambs, grain, and wine. Then sacrifice them on the altar at God's temple in Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
If you need to get anything else for the temple, you may have the money you need from the royal treasury.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Ezra, you are a priest and an expert in the laws of the God of heaven, and I order all treasurers in Western Province to do their very best to help you.


book: Ezra
contenido:
They will be allowed to give as much as 3.4 tons of silver, 10 tons of wheat, 2,000 liters of wine, 2,000 liters of olive oil, and all the salt you need.


book: Ezra
contenido:
They must provide whatever the God of heaven demands for his temple, so that he won't be angry with me and with the kings who rule after me.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We want you to know that no priests, Levites, musicians, guards, temple servants, or any other temple workers will have to pay any kind of taxes.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Ezra, use the wisdom God has given you and choose officials and leaders to govern the people of Western Province. These leaders should know God's laws and have them taught to anyone who doesn't know them.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Everyone who fails to obey God's Law or the king's law will be punished without pity. They will either be executed or put in prison or forced to leave their country, or have all they own taken away.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Because King Artaxerxes was so kind, Ezra said: Praise the LORD God of our ancestors! He made sure that the king honored the LORD's temple in Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
God has told the king, his advisors, and his powerful officials to treat me with kindness. The LORD God has helped me, and I have been able to bring many Jewish leaders back to Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Artaxerxes was king of Persia when I led the following chiefs of the family groups from Babylonia to Jerusalem:


book: Ezra
contenido:
Gershom of the Phinehas family; Daniel of the Ithamar family; Hattush son of Shecaniah of the David family; Zechariah and 150 other men of the Parosh family, who had family records; Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah with 200 men of the Pahath Moab family; Shecaniah son of Jahaziel with 300 men of the Zattu family; Ebed son of Jonathan with 50 men of the Adin family; Jeshaiah son of Athaliah with 70 men of the Elam family; Zebadiah son of Michael with 80 men of the Shephatiah family; Obadiah son of Jehiel with 218 men of the Joab family; Shelomith son of Josiphiah with 160 men of the Bani family; Zechariah son of Bebai with 28 men of the Bebai family; Johanan son of Hakkatan with 110 men of the Azgad family; Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah who returned sometime later with 60 men of the Adonikam family; Uthai and Zaccur with 70 men of the Bigvai family.


book: Ezra
contenido:
I brought everyone together by the river that flows to the town of Ahava where we camped for three days. Not one Levite could be found among the people and priests.


book: Ezra
contenido:
So I sent for the leaders Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam. I also sent for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were very wise counselors.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then I sent them to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, and I told them to ask him and his temple workers to send people to serve in God's temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
God was kind to us and caused them to send a skillful man named Sherebiah, who was a Levite from the family of Mahli. Eighteen of his relatives came with him.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We were also sent Hashabiah and Jeshaiah from the family of Merari along with 20 of their relatives.


book: Ezra
contenido:
In addition, 220 others came to help the Levites in the temple. The ancestors of these workers had been chosen years ago by King David and his officials, and they were all listed by name.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Beside the Ahava River, I asked the people to go without eating and to pray. We humbled ourselves and asked God to bring us and our children safely to Jerusalem with all of our possessions.


book: Ezra
contenido:
I was ashamed to ask the king to send soldiers and cavalry to protect us against enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king that our God takes care of everyone who truly worships him, but that he gets very angry and punishes anyone who refuses to obey.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then I weighed the gifts that had been given for God's temple, and I divided them among the twelve priests I had chosen. There were gifts of silver and gold, as well as the articles that the king, his advisors and officials, and the people of Israel had contributed. In all there were: 22 tons of silver; 100 silver articles weighing 70 kilograms; 3.4 tons of gold; 20 gold bowls weighing over 8 kilograms; and 2 polished bronze articles as valuable as gold.


book: Ezra
contenido:
I said to the priests: You belong to the LORD, the God of your ancestors, and these things also belong to him. The silver and gold were willingly given as gifts to the LORD.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Be sure to guard them and keep them safe until you reach Jerusalem. Then weigh them inside God's temple in the presence of the chief priests, the Levites, and the heads of the Israelite families.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The priests and Levites then took charge of the gifts that had been weighed, so they could take them to the temple of our God in Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
On the twelfth day of the first month, we left the Ahava River and started for Jerusalem. Our God watched over us, and as we traveled along, he kept our enemies from ambushing us.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then on the fourth day we went to God's temple, where the silver, the gold, and the other things were weighed and given to the priest Meremoth son of Uriah. With him were Eleazar son of Phinehas and the two Levites, Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Those who had returned from exile offered sacrifices on the altar to the God of Israel. Twelve bulls were offered for all Israel. Ninety-six rams and 77 lambs were offered on the altar, and 12 goats were sacrificed for the sins of the people.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Some of those who had returned took the king's orders to the governors and officials in Western Province. Then the officials did what they could for the people and for the temple of God.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Later the Jewish leaders came to me and said: Many Israelites, including priests and Levites, are living just like the people around them. They are even guilty of some of the horrible sins of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Some Israelite men have married foreign women and have let their sons do the same thing. Our own officials and leaders were the first to commit this disgusting sin, and now God's holy people are mixed with foreigners.


book: Ezra
contenido:
This news made me so angry that I ripped my clothes and tore hair from my head and beard. Then I just sat in shock


book: Ezra
contenido:
until the time for the evening sacrifice. Many of our people were greatly concerned and gathered around me, because the God of Israel had warned us to stay away from foreigners.


book: Ezra
contenido:
At the time of the evening sacrifice, I was still sitting there in sorrow with my clothes all torn. So I got down on my knees, then lifted my arms,


book: Ezra
contenido:
and prayed: I am much too ashamed to face you, LORD God. Our sins and our guilt have swept over us like a flood that reaches up to the heavens.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Since the time of our ancestors, all of us have sinned. That's why we, our kings, and our priests have often been defeated by other kings. They have killed some of us and made slaves of others; they have taken our possessions and made us ashamed, just as we are today.


book: Ezra
contenido:
But for now, LORD God, you have shown great kindness to us. You made us truly happy by letting some of us settle in this sacred place and by helping us in our time of slavery.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We are slaves, but you have never turned your back on us. You love us, and because of you, the kings of Persia have helped us. It's as though you have given us new life! You let us rebuild your temple and live safely in Judah and Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
that were given to us by your servants the prophets. They said the land you are giving us is full of sinful and wicked people, who never stop doing disgusting things.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And we were warned not to let our daughters and sons marry their sons and daughters. Your prophets also told us never to help those foreigners or even let them live in peace. You wanted us to become strong and to enjoy the good things in the land, then someday to leave it to our children forever.


book: Ezra
contenido:
You punished us because of our terrible sins. But you did not punish us nearly as much as we deserve, and you have brought some of us back home.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Why should we disobey your commands again by letting our sons and daughters marry these foreigners who do such disgusting things? That would make you angry enough to destroy us all!


book: Ezra
contenido:
LORD God of Israel, you have been more than fair by letting a few of us survive. But once again, our sins have made us ashamed to face you.


book: Ezra
contenido:
While Ezra was down on his knees in front of God's temple, praying with tears in his eyes and confessing the sins of the people of Israel, a large number of men, women, and children gathered around him and cried bitterly.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Shecaniah son of Jehiel from the family of Elam said: Ezra, we have disobeyed God by marrying these foreign women. But there is still hope for the people of Israel,


book: Ezra
contenido:
if we follow your advice and the advice of others who truly respect the laws of God. We must promise God that we will divorce our foreign wives and send them away, together with their children.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Ezra stood up and made the chief priests, the Levites, and everyone else in Israel swear that they would follow the advice of Shecaniah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then Ezra left God's temple and went to spend the night in the living quarters of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. He felt sorry because of what the people had done, and he did not eat or drink a thing.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The officials and leaders sent a message to all who had returned from Babylonia and were now living in Jerusalem and Judah. This message told them to meet in Jerusalem within three days, or else they would lose everything they owned and would no longer be considered part of the people that had returned from Babylonia.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Three days later, on the twentieth day of the ninth month, everyone from Judah and Benjamin came to Jerusalem and sat in the temple courtyard. It was a serious meeting, and they sat there, trembling in the rain.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Ezra the priest stood up and said: You have broken God's Law by marrying foreign women, and you have made the whole nation guilty!


book: Ezra
contenido:
Now you must confess your sins to the LORD God of your ancestors and obey him. Divorce your foreign wives and don't have anything to do with the rest of the foreigners who live around here.


book: Ezra
contenido:
But there are so many of us, and we can't just stay out here in this downpour. A lot of us have sinned by marrying foreign women, and the matter can't be settled in only a day or two.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Why can't our officials stay on in Jerusalem and take care of this for us? Let everyone who has sinned in this way meet here at a certain time with leaders and judges from their own towns. If we take care of this problem, God will surely stop being so terribly angry with us.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah were the only ones who objected, except for the two Levites, Meshullam and Shabbethai.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Everyone else who had returned from exile agreed with the plan. So Ezra the priest chose men who were heads of the families, and he listed their names. They started looking into the matter on the first day of the tenth month,


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here is a list of the priests who had agreed to divorce their foreign wives and to sacrifice a ram as a sin offering: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah from the family of Joshua son of Jozadak and his brothers;


book: Ezra
contenido:
Those Levites who had foreign wives were: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (also known as Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Eliashib, the musician, had a foreign wife. These temple guards had foreign wives: Shallum, Telem, and Uri.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here is a list of the others from Israel who had foreign wives: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Hashabiah, and Benaiah from the family of Parosh;


book: Ezra
contenido:
Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh from the family of Pahath Moab;


book: Ezra
contenido:
Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah from the family of Harim;


book: Ezra
contenido:
Maadai, Amram, Uel, Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu from the family of Bani;


book: Ezra
contenido:
Shimei, Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph from the family of Binnui;


book: Neh
contenido:
I am Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, and in this book I tell what I have done. During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year that Artaxerxes ruled Persia, I was in his fortress city of Susa,


book: Neh
contenido:
when my brother Hanani came with some men from Judah. So I asked them about the Jews who had escaped from being captives in Babylonia. I also asked them about the city of Jerusalem.


book: Neh
contenido:
They told me, “Those captives who have come back are having all kinds of troubles. They are terribly disgraced, Jerusalem's walls are broken down, and its gates have been burned.”


book: Neh
contenido:
When I heard this, I sat down on the ground and cried. Then for several days, I mourned; I went without eating to show my sorrow, and I prayed:


book: Neh
contenido:
LORD God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands.


book: Neh
contenido:
I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you. I, my family, and the rest of your people have sinned


book: Neh
contenido:
Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations.


book: Neh
contenido:
But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped.


book: Neh
contenido:
Please answer my prayer and the prayer of your other servants who gladly honor your name. When I serve the king his wine today, make him pleased with me and let him do what I ask.


book: Neh
contenido:
During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year that Artaxerxes was king, I served him his wine, as I had done before. But this was the first time I had ever looked depressed.


book: Neh
contenido:
So the king said, “Why do you look so sad? You're not sick. Something must be bothering you.” Even though I was frightened,


book: Neh
contenido:
I answered, “Your Majesty, I hope you live forever! I feel sad because the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and its gates have been burned down.”


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I told the king, “Sir, if it's all right with you, please send me back to Judah, so that I can rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”


book: Neh
contenido:
The queen was sitting beside the king when he asked me, “How long will it take, and when will you be back?” The king agreed to let me go, and I told him when I would return.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I asked, “Your Majesty, would you be willing to give me letters to the governors of the provinces west of the Euphrates River, so that I can travel safely to Judah?


book: Neh
contenido:
I will need timber to rebuild the gates of the fortress near the temple and more timber to construct the city wall and to build a place for me to live. And so, I would appreciate a letter to Asaph, who is in charge of the royal forest.” God was good to me, and the king did everything I asked.


book: Neh
contenido:
The king sent some army officers and cavalry troops along with me, and as I traveled through the Western Provinces, I gave the letters to the governors.


book: Neh
contenido:
But when Sanballat from Horon and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about what had happened, they became very angry, because they didn't want anyone to help the people of Israel.


book: Neh
contenido:
I got up during the night and left my house. I took some men with me, without telling anyone what I thought God wanted me to do for the city. The only animal I took was the donkey I rode on.


book: Neh
contenido:
I went through Valley Gate on the west, then south past Dragon Spring, before coming to Garbage Gate. As I rode along, I took a good look at the crumbled walls of the city and the gates that had been torn down and burned.


book: Neh
contenido:
On the east side of the city, I headed north to Fountain Gate and King's Pool, but then the trail became too narrow for my donkey.


book: Neh
contenido:
So I went down to Kidron Valley and looked at the wall from there. Then before daylight I returned to the city through Valley Gate.


book: Neh
contenido:
None of the city officials knew what I had in mind. And I had not even told any of the Jews—not the priests, the leaders, the officials, or any other Jews who would be helping in the work.


book: Neh
contenido:
But when I got back, I said to them, “Jerusalem is truly in a mess! The gates have been torn down and burned, and everything is in ruins. We must rebuild the city wall so that we can again take pride in our city.”


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I told them how kind God had been and what the king had said. Immediately, they replied, “Let's start building now!” So they got everything ready.


book: Neh
contenido:
When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard about our plans, they started insulting us and saying, “Just look at you! Do you plan to rebuild the walls of the city and rebel against the king?”


book: Neh
contenido:
I answered, “We are servants of the God who rules from heaven, and he will make our work succeed. So we will start rebuilding Jerusalem, but you have no right to any of its property, because you have had no part in its history.”


book: Neh
contenido:
These are the people who helped rebuild the wall and gates of Jerusalem: The high priest Eliashib and the other priests rebuilt Sheep Gate and hung its doors. Then they dedicated Sheep Gate and the section of the wall as far as Hundred Tower and Hananel Tower.


book: Neh
contenido:
The people of Jericho rebuilt the next section of the wall, and Zaccur son of Imri rebuilt the section after that.


book: Neh
contenido:
The family of Hassenaah built Fish Gate. They put the beams in place and hung the doors, then they added metal bolts and wooden beams as locks.


book: Neh
contenido:
Meremoth, son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz, completed the next section of the wall. Meshullam, son of Berechiah and grandson of Meshezabel, rebuilt the next section, and Zadok son of Baana rebuilt the section beside that.


book: Neh
contenido:
The next section was to be repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their town leaders refused to do the hard work they were assigned.


book: Neh
contenido:
Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah restored Ancient Gate. They put the beams in place, hung the doors, and added metal bolts and wooden beams as locks.


book: Neh
contenido:
Melatiah from Gibeon, Jadon from Meronoth, and the men from Gibeon and Mizpah rebuilt the next section of the wall. This section reached as far as the house of the governor of West Euphrates Province.


book: Neh
contenido:
Uzziel son of Harhaiah the goldsmith rebuilt the next section. Hananiah the perfume maker rebuilt the section next after that, and it went as far as Broad Wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
Rephaiah son of Hur ruled half of the Jerusalem District, and he rebuilt the next section of the wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
The section after that was close to the home of Jedaiah son of Harumaph, and he rebuilt it. Hattush son of Hashabneiah constructed the next section of the wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath Moab rebuilt the section after that, and they also built Oven Tower.


book: Neh
contenido:
Shallum son of Hallohesh ruled the other half of the Jerusalem District, and he rebuilt the next section of the wall. Shallum's daughters also worked with him.


book: Neh
contenido:
Hanun and the people who lived in the town of Zanoah rebuilt Valley Gate. They hung the doors and added metal bolts and wooden beams as locks. They also rebuilt the wall for 440 meters, all the way to Garbage Gate.


book: Neh
contenido:
Malchijah son of Rechab ruled the district of Beth-Haccherem, and he rebuilt Garbage Gate. He hung the doors and added metal bolts and wooden beams as locks.


book: Neh
contenido:
Shallum son of Colhozeh ruled the district of Mizpah, and he rebuilt Fountain Gate. He put a cover over the gateway, then hung the doors and added metal bolts and wooden beams as locks. He also rebuilt the wall at Shelah Pool. This section was next to the king's garden and went as far as the stairs leading down from David's City.


book: Neh
contenido:
Nehemiah son of Azbuk ruled half of the district of Beth-Zur, and he rebuilt the next section of the wall. It went as far as the royal cemetery, the artificial pool, and the army barracks.


book: Neh
contenido:
The Levites who worked on the next sections of the wall were Rehum son of Bani; Hashabiah, who ruled half of the district of Keilah and did this work for his district;


book: Neh
contenido:
Ezer son of Jeshua, who ruled Mizpah, rebuilt the section of the wall that was in front of the armory and reached to the corner of the wall;


book: Neh
contenido:
Baruch son of Zabbai eagerly rebuilt the section of the wall that went all the way to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest;


book: Neh
contenido:
Here is a list of the priests who worked on the wall: Priests from the region around Jerusalem rebuilt the next section of the wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
Benjamin and Hasshub rebuilt the wall in front of their own houses. Azariah, who was the son of Maaseiah and the grandson of Ananiah, rebuilt the section in front of his house.


book: Neh
contenido:
Binnui son of Henadad rebuilt the section of the wall from Azariah's house to the corner of the wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
Palal son of Uzai rebuilt the next section, which began at the corner of the wall and the tower of the upper palace near the court of the guard. Pedaiah son of Parosh rebuilt the next section of the wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
He stopped at a place near the Water Gate on the east and the tower guarding the temple. This was close to a section in the city called Ophel, where the temple workers lived.


book: Neh
contenido:
The men from Tekoa rebuilt the next section of the wall, and it was their second section. It started at a place across from the large tower that guarded the Temple, and it went all the way to the wall near Ophel.


book: Neh
contenido:
Some priests rebuilt the next section of the wall. They began working north of Horse Gate, and each one worked on a section in front of his own house.


book: Neh
contenido:
Zadok son of Immer rebuilt the wall in front of his house. Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, who looked after the East Gate, rebuilt the section after that.


book: Neh
contenido:
Hananiah and Hanun rebuilt the next section, which was the second section for them. Meshullam son of Berechiah rebuilt the next section, which happened to be in front of his house.


book: Neh
contenido:
Malchijah, a goldsmith, rebuilt the next section, as far as the house used by the temple workers and merchants. This area was across from Gathering Gate, near the room on top of the wall at the northeast corner.


book: Neh
contenido:
The goldsmiths and merchants rebuilt the last section of the wall, which went from the corner room all the way to Sheep Gate.


book: Neh
contenido:
When Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, heard that we were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he became angry and started insulting our people.


book: Neh
contenido:
In front of his friends and the Samaritan army he said, “What is this feeble bunch of Jews trying to do? Are they going to rebuild the wall and offer sacrifices all in one day? Do they think they can make something out of this pile of scorched stones?”


book: Neh
contenido:
Tobiah from Ammon was standing beside Sanballat and said, “Look at the wall they are building! Why, even a fox could knock over this pile of stones.”


book: Neh
contenido:
But I prayed, “Our God, these people hate us and have wished horrible things for us. Please answer our prayers and make their insults fall on them! Let them be the ones to be dragged away as prisoners of war.


book: Neh
contenido:
But Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people from the city of Ashdod saw the walls going up and the holes being repaired. So they became angry


book: Neh
contenido:
Meanwhile, the people of Judah were singing a sorrowful song: “So much rubble for us to haul! Worn out and weary, will we ever finish this wall?”


book: Neh
contenido:
Our enemies were saying, “Before those Jews know what has happened, we will sneak up and kill them and put an end to their work.”


book: Neh
contenido:
On at least ten different occasions, the Jews living near our enemies warned us against attacks from every side,


book: Neh
contenido:
and so I sent people to guard the wall at its lowest places and where there were still holes in it. I placed them according to families, and they stood guard with swords and spears and with bows and arrows.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I looked things over and told the leaders, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don't be afraid of your enemies! The Lord is great and fearsome. So think of him and fight for your relatives and children, your wives and homes!”


book: Neh
contenido:
Our enemies found out that we knew about their plot against us, but God kept them from doing what they had planned. So we went back to work on the wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
From then on, I let half of the young men work while the other half stood guard. They wore armor and had spears and shields, as well as bows and arrows. The leaders helped the workers


book: Neh
contenido:
who were rebuilding the wall. Everyone who hauled building materials kept one hand free to carry a weapon.


book: Neh
contenido:
Even the workers who were rebuilding the wall strapped on a sword. The worker who was to blow the signal trumpet stayed with me.


book: Neh
contenido:
I told the people and their officials and leaders, “Our work is so spread out, that we are a long way from one another.


book: Neh
contenido:
If you hear the sound of the trumpet, come quickly and gather around me. Our God will help us fight.”


book: Neh
contenido:
Every day from dawn to dark, half of the workers rebuilt the walls, while the rest stood guard with their spears.


book: Neh
contenido:
I asked the men in charge and their workers to stay inside Jerusalem and stand guard at night. So they guarded the city at night and worked during the day.


book: Neh
contenido:
I even slept in my work clothes at night; my relatives, the workers, and the guards slept in theirs as well. And we always kept our weapons close by.


book: Neh
contenido:
Others said, “During the famine we even had to mortgage our fields, vineyards, and homes to them in order to buy grain.”


book: Neh
contenido:
Then others said, “We had to borrow money from those in power to pay the government tax on our fields and vineyards.


book: Neh
contenido:
We are Jews just as they are, and our children are as good as theirs. But we still have to sell our children as slaves, and some of our daughters have already been raped. We are completely helpless; our fields and vineyards have even been taken from us.”


book: Neh
contenido:
So I thought it over and said to the leaders and officials, “How can you charge your own people interest?” Then I called a public meeting and accused the leaders


book: Neh
contenido:
by saying, “We have tried to buy back all of our people who were sold into exile. But here you are, selling more of them for us to buy back!” The officials and leaders did not say a word, because they knew this was true.


book: Neh
contenido:
I continued, “What you have done is wrong! We must honor our God by the way we live, so the Gentiles can't find fault with us.


book: Neh
contenido:
My relatives, my friends, and I are also lending money and grain, but we must no longer demand payment in return.


book: Neh
contenido:
Now give back the fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses you have taken and also the interest you have been paid.”


book: Neh
contenido:
The leaders answered, “We will do whatever you say and return their property, without asking to be repaid.” So I made the leaders promise in front of the priests to give back the property.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I emptied my pockets and said, “If you don't keep your promise, that's what God will do to you. He will empty out everything you own, even taking away your houses.” The people answered, “We will keep our promise.” Then they praised the LORD and did as they had promised.


book: Neh
contenido:
I was governor of Judah from the twentieth year that Artaxerxes was king until the thirty-second year. And during these entire twelve years, my relatives and I refused to accept the food that I was allowed.


book: Neh
contenido:
Each governor before me had been a burden to the people by making them pay for his food and wine and by demanding forty silver coins a day. Even their officials had been a burden to the people. But I respected God, and I didn't think it was right to be so hard on them.


book: Neh
contenido:
I spent all my time getting the wall rebuilt and did not buy any property. Everyone working for me did the same thing.


book: Neh
contenido:
I usually fed 150 of our own Jewish people and their leaders, as well as foreign visitors from surrounding lands.


book: Neh
contenido:
Each day one ox, six of the best sheep, and lots of chickens were prepared. Then every ten days, a large supply of wine was brought in. I knew what a heavy burden this would have been for the people, and so I did not ask for my food allowance as governor.


book: Neh
contenido:
Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and our other enemies learned that I had completely rebuilt the wall. All I lacked was hanging the doors in the gates.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then Sanballat and Geshem sent a message, asking me to meet with them in one of the villages in Ono Valley. I knew they were planning to harm me in some way.


book: Neh
contenido:
So I sent messengers to tell them, “My work is too important to stop now and go there. I can't afford to slow down the work just to visit with you.”


book: Neh
contenido:
which said: A rumor is going around among the nations that you and the other Jews are rebuilding the wall and planning to rebel, because you want to be their king. And Geshem says it's true!


book: Neh
contenido:
You even have prophets in Jerusalem, claiming you are now the king of Judah. You know the Persian king will hear about this, so let's get together and talk it over.


book: Neh
contenido:
Our enemies were trying to frighten us and to keep us from our work. But I asked God to give me strength.


book: Neh
contenido:
One day I went to visit Shemaiah. He wasn't supposed to leave his house, but he said, “Let's hurry to the holy place of the temple and hide there. We will lock the temple doors, because your enemies are planning to kill you tonight.”


book: Neh
contenido:
I answered, “Why should someone like me have to run and hide in the temple to save my life? I won't go!”


book: Neh
contenido:
Suddenly I realized that God had not given Shemaiah this message. But Tobiah and Sanballat had paid him to trick me


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I asked God to punish Tobiah and Sanballat for what they had done. I prayed that God would punish the prophet Noadiah and the other prophets who, together with her, had tried to frighten me.


book: Neh
contenido:
When our enemies in the surrounding nations learned that the work was finished, they felt helpless, because they knew that our God had helped us rebuild the wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
Many people in Judah were loyal to Tobiah for two reasons: Shecaniah son of Arah was his father-in-law, and Tobiah's son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.


book: Neh
contenido:
The people would always tell me about the good things Tobiah had done, and then they would tell Tobiah everything I had said. So Tobiah kept sending letters, trying to frighten me.


book: Neh
contenido:
After the wall had been rebuilt and the gates hung, then the temple guards, the singers, and the other Levites were assigned their work.


book: Neh
contenido:
I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, because Hananiah could be trusted, and he respected God more than most people did.


book: Neh
contenido:
I said to them, “Don't let the gates to the city be opened until the sun has been up for a while. And make sure that they are closed and barred before the guards go off duty at sunset. Choose people from Jerusalem to stand guard at different places around the wall and others to stand guard near their own houses.”


book: Neh
contenido:
Although Jerusalem covered a large area, not many people lived there, and no new houses had been built.


book: Neh
contenido:
So God gave me the idea to bring together the people, their leaders, and officials and to check the family records of those who had returned from captivity in Babylonia, after having been taken there by King Nebuchadnezzar. About this same time, I found records of those who had been the first to return to Jerusalem from Babylon Province. By reading these records, I learned that they settled in their own hometowns,


book: Neh
contenido:
and that they had come with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah.


book: Neh
contenido:
This is a list of how many returned from each family group: 2,172 from Parosh; 372 from Shephatiah; 652 from Arah; 2,818 from Pahath Moab, who were all descendants of Jeshua and Joab; 1,254 from Elam; 845 from Zattu; 760 from Zaccai; 648 from Binnui; 628 from Bebai; 2,322 from Azgad; 667 from Adonikam; 2,067 from Bigvai; 655 from Adin; 98 from Ater, also known as Hezekiah; 328 from Hashum; 324 from Bezai; 112 from Hariph; and 95 from Gibeon.


book: Neh
contenido:
This is a list of how many returned whose ancestors had come from the following towns: 188 from Bethlehem and Netophah; 128 from Anathoth; 42 from Beth-Azmaveth; 743 from Kiriath-Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth; 621 from Ramah and Geba; 122 from Michmas; 123 from Bethel and Ai; 52 from Nebo; 1,254 from Elam; 320 from Harim; 345 from Jericho; 721 from Lod, Hadid, and Ono; and 3,930 from Senaah.


book: Neh
contenido:
This is a list of how many returned from each family of priests: 973 descendants of Jeshua from Jedaiah; 1,052 from Immer; 1,247 from Pashhur; and 1,017 from Harim.


book: Neh
contenido:
This is a list of how many returned from the families of Levites: 74 descendants of Hodevah from the families of Jeshua and Kadmiel; 148 descendants of Asaph from the temple musicians; and 138 descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai from the temple guards.


book: Neh
contenido:
These are the names of the families of temple workers whose descendants returned: Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Keros, Sia, Padon, Lebana, Hagaba, Shalmai, Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, Besai, Meunim, Nephushesim, Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Bazlith, Mehida, Harsha, Barkos, Sisera, Temah, Neziah, and Hatipha.


book: Neh
contenido:
Here are the names of Solomon's servants whose descendants returned: Sotai, Sophereth, Perida, Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth Hazzebaim, and Amon.


book: Neh
contenido:
There were 642 who returned from the families of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda, though they could not prove they were Israelites. They had lived in the Babylonian towns of Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer.


book: Neh
contenido:
The families of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai could not prove they were priests. The ancestor of the family of Barzillai had married the daughter of Barzillai from Gilead and had taken his wife's family name. But the records of these three families could not be found, and none of them were allowed to serve as priests.


book: Neh
contenido:
In fact, the governor told them, “You cannot eat the food offered to God until he lets us know if you really are priests.”


book: Neh
contenido:
There were 42,360 who returned, in addition to 7,337 servants and 245 musicians, counting both men and women. Altogether, they brought with them 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.


book: Neh
contenido:
Many people gave gifts to help pay for the materials to rebuild the temple. The governor himself gave 8 kilograms of gold, 50 bowls to be used in the temple, and 530 robes for the priests. Family leaders gave 153 kilograms of gold and 1,458 kilograms of silver. The rest of the people gave 153 kilograms of gold, 1,325 kilograms of silver, and 67 robes for the priests.


book: Neh
contenido:
And so, by the seventh month, priests, Levites, temple guards, musicians, workers, and many of the ordinary people had settled in the towns of Judah.


book: Neh
contenido:
On the first day of the seventh month, the people came together in the open area in front of the Water Gate. Then they asked Ezra, who was a teacher of the Law of Moses, to read to them from this Law that the LORD had given his people. Ezra the priest came with the Law and stood before the crowd of men, women, and the children who were old enough to understand.


book: Neh
contenido:
Ezra stood on a high wooden platform that had been built for this occasion. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah were standing to his right, while Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash Baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam were standing to his left.


book: Neh
contenido:
Ezra was up on the high platform, where he could be seen by everyone, and when he opened the book, all the people stood up.


book: Neh
contenido:
Ezra praised the great LORD God, and they lifted their hands, shouting “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the LORD.


book: Neh
contenido:
After this, the Levites Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah went among the people, explaining the meaning of what Ezra had read.


book: Neh
contenido:
The people started crying when God's Law was read to them. Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher, and the Levites who had been teaching the people all said, “This is a special day for the LORD your God. So don't be sad and don't cry!”


book: Neh
contenido:
Nehemiah told the people, “Enjoy your good food and wine and share some with those who didn't have anything to bring. Don't be sad! This is a special day for the LORD, and he will make you happy and strong.”


book: Neh
contenido:
When the people returned to their homes, they celebrated by eating and drinking and by sharing their food with those in need, because they had understood what had been read to them.


book: Neh
contenido:
On the second day of the seventh month, the leaders of all the family groups came together with the priests and the Levites, so Ezra could teach them the Law


book: Neh
contenido:
that the LORD had given to Moses. They learned from the Law that the people of Israel were to live in shelters when they celebrated the festival in the seventh month of the year.


book: Neh
contenido:
They also learned that they were to go into the woods and gather branches of leafy trees such as olives, myrtles, and palms for making these shelters.


book: Neh
contenido:
So the people gathered branches and made shelters on the flat roofs of their houses, in their yards, in the courtyard of the temple, and in the open areas around the Water Gate and Ephraim Gate.


book: Neh
contenido:
Everyone who had returned from Babylonia built shelters. They lived in them and joyfully celebrated the Festival of Shelters for the first time since the days of Joshua son of Nun.


book: Neh
contenido:
On each of the first seven days of the festival, Ezra read to the people from God's Law. Then on the eighth day, everyone gathered for worship, just as the Law had said they must.


book: Neh
contenido:
On the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month, the people of Israel went without eating, and they dressed in sackcloth and threw dirt on their heads to show their sorrow.


book: Neh
contenido:
They refused to let foreigners join them, as they met to confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors.


book: Neh
contenido:
For three hours they stood and listened to the Law of the LORD their God, and then for the next three hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD.


book: Neh
contenido:
Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the special platform for the Levites and prayed aloud to the LORD their God.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then the Levites Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah said: “Stand and shout praises to your LORD, the eternal God! Praise his wonderful name, though he is greater than words can express.”


book: Neh
contenido:
You alone are the LORD, Creator of the heavens and all the stars, Creator of the earth and those who live on it, Creator of the ocean and all its creatures. You are the source of life, praised by the stars that fill the heavens.


book: Neh
contenido:
You are the LORD our God, the one who chose Abram— you brought him from Ur in Babylonia and named him Abraham.


book: Neh
contenido:
Because he was faithful, you made an agreement to give his descendants the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, and of the Jebusites and Girgashites. Now you have kept your promise, just as you always do.


book: Neh
contenido:
When our ancestors were in Egypt, you saw their suffering; when they were at the Red Sea, you heard their cry for help.


book: Neh
contenido:
You knew that the King of Egypt and his officials and his nation had mistreated your people. So you worked fearsome miracles against the Egyptians and earned a reputation that still remains.


book: Neh
contenido:
You divided the deep sea, and your people walked through on dry land. But you tossed their enemies in, and they sank down like a heavy stone.


book: Neh
contenido:
Each day you led your people with a thick cloud, and at night you showed the way with a flaming fire.


book: Neh
contenido:
At Sinai you came down from heaven, and you gave your people good laws and teachings that are fair and honest.


book: Neh
contenido:
You commanded them to respect your holy Sabbath, and you instructed your servant Moses to teach them your laws.


book: Neh
contenido:
When they were hungry, you sent bread from heaven, and when they were thirsty, you let water flow from a rock. Then you commanded them to capture the land that you had solemnly promised. *


book: Neh
contenido:
Our stubborn ancestors refused to obey— they forgot about the miracles you had worked for them, and they were determined to return to Egypt and become slaves again.


book: Neh
contenido:
But, our God, you are merciful and quick to forgive; you are loving, kind, and very patient. So you never turned away from them—


book: Neh
contenido:
not even when they made an idol shaped like a calf and insulted you by claiming, “This is the god who rescued us from Egypt.”


book: Neh
contenido:
Because of your great mercy, you never abandoned them in the desert. And you always guided them with a cloud by day and a fire at night.


book: Neh
contenido:
You took good care of them, and for forty years they never lacked a thing. Their clothes didn't wear out, and their feet were never swollen.


book: Neh
contenido:
You let them conquer kings and take their land, including King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan.


book: Neh
contenido:
You brought them into the land that you had promised their ancestors, and you blessed their nation with people that outnumbered the stars in the sky.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then their descendants conquered the land. You helped them defeat the kings and nations and treat their enemies however they wished.


book: Neh
contenido:
They captured strong cities and rich farmland; they took furnished houses, as well as cisterns, vineyards, olive orchards, and numerous fruit trees. They ate till they were satisfied, and they celebrated your abundant blessings.


book: Neh
contenido:
In spite of this, they rebelled and disobeyed your laws. They killed your prophets, who warned them to turn back to you, and they cursed your name.


book: Neh
contenido:
So you handed them over to their enemies, who treated them terribly. But in their sufferings, they begged you to help. From heaven you listened to their prayers and because of your great mercy, you sent leaders to rescue them.


book: Neh
contenido:
But when they were at peace, they would turn against you, and you would hand them over to their enemies. Then they would beg for help, and because you are merciful, you rescued them over and over again.


book: Neh
contenido:
You warned them to turn back and discover true life by obeying your laws. But they stubbornly refused and continued to sin.


book: Neh
contenido:
For years, you were patient, and your Spirit warned them with messages spoken by your prophets. Still they refused to listen, and you handed them over to their enemies.


book: Neh
contenido:
Our God, you are powerful, fearsome, and faithful, always true to your word. So please keep in mind the terrible sufferings of our people, kings, leaders, priests, and prophets, from the time Assyria ruled until this very day.


book: Neh
contenido:
Our kings and leaders, our priests and ancestors have never obeyed your commands or heeded your warnings.


book: Neh
contenido:
You blessed them with a kingdom and with an abundance of rich, fertile land, but they refused to worship you or turn from their evil.


book: Neh
contenido:
Its plentiful harvest is taken by kings you placed over us because of our sins. Our suffering is unbearable, because they do as they wish to us and our livestock.


book: Neh
contenido:
And so, a firm agreement was made that had the official approval of the leaders, the Levites, and priests.


book: Neh
contenido:
Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah.


book: Neh
contenido:
All of us, including priests, Levites, temple guards, singers, temple workers and leaders, together with our wives and children, have separated ourselves from the foreigners in this land and now enter into an agreement with a complete understanding of what we are doing. And so, we now place ourselves under the curse of the LORD our God, if we fail to obey his laws and teachings that were given to us by his servant Moses.


book: Neh
contenido:
We won't buy goods or grain on the Sabbath or on any other sacred day, not even from foreigners. Every seven years we will let our fields rest, and we will cancel all debts.


book: Neh
contenido:
This is to pay for the sacred bread, as well as for the daily sacrifices and special sacrifices such as those offered on the Sabbath and during the New Moon Festival and the other festivals. It will also pay for the sacrifices to forgive our sins and for all expenses connected with the worship of God in the temple.


book: Neh
contenido:
We have decided that the families of priests, Levites, and ordinary people will supply firewood for the temple each year, so that sacrifices can be offered on the altar, just as the LORD our God has commanded.


book: Neh
contenido:
We will bring our first-born sons and the first-born males of our herds and flocks and offer them to the priests who serve in the temple, because this is what is written in God's Law.


book: Neh
contenido:
To the priests in the temple of our God, we will bring the bread dough from the first harvest, together with our best fruit, and an offering of new wine and olive oil. We will bring ten percent of our grain harvest to those Levites who are responsible for collecting it in our towns.


book: Neh
contenido:
A priest from the family of Aaron must be there when we give this to the Levites. Then the Levites will put one tenth of this part in the temple storeroom,


book: Neh
contenido:
which is also the place for the sacred objects used by the priests, the temple guards, and the singers. Levites and everyone else must bring their gifts of grain, wine, and olive oil to this room. We will not neglect the temple of our God.


book: Neh
contenido:
The nation's leaders and their families settled in Jerusalem. But there was room for only one out of every ten of the remaining families, and so they asked God to show them who would live there.


book: Neh
contenido:
Some of the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple workers, and the descendants of Solomon's servants lived on their own property in the towns of Judah. But the leaders of the province lived in Jerusalem with their families.


book: Neh
contenido:
From the Judah tribe, two leaders settled in Jerusalem with their relatives. One of them was Athaiah son of Uzziah. His ancestors were Zechariah, Amariah, Shephatiah, Mahalalel, and Perez, the son of Judah. From the descendants of Perez, 468 of the best men lived in Jerusalem. The other leader from Judah was Maaseiah the son of Baruch. His ancestors were Colhozeh, Hazaiah, Adaiah, Joiarib, Zechariah, and Shelah, the son of Judah.


book: Neh
contenido:
From the Benjamin tribe, three leaders settled in Jerusalem. The first was Sallu son of Meshullam, and the others were Gabbai and Sallai. Sallu's ancestors were Joed, Pedaiah, Kolaiah, Maaseiah, Ithiel, and Jeshaiah. Altogether, there were 928 men of the Benjamin tribe living in Jerusalem.


book: Neh
contenido:
Four priests settled in Jerusalem. The first was Jedaiah; he was the son of Joiarib and the uncle of Jachin.


book: Neh
contenido:
The second priest to settle there was Seraiah son of Hilkiah. His ancestors were Meshullam, Zadok, Meraioth, and Ahitub, who had been a high priest.


book: Neh
contenido:
Altogether, there were 822 from his clan who served in the temple. The third priest to settle there was Adaiah son of Jeroham. His ancestors were Pelaliah, Amzi, Zechariah, Pashhur, and Malchijah.


book: Neh
contenido:
Altogether, there were 242 clan leaders among his relatives. The fourth priest to settle there was Amashsai son of Azarel. His ancestors were Ahzai, Meshillemoth, and Immer.


book: Neh
contenido:
Altogether, there were 128 brave warriors from their clans, and their leader was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim.


book: Neh
contenido:
Several Levites settled in Jerusalem. First, there was Shemaiah son of Hasshub. His ancestors were Azrikam, Hashabiah, and Bunni.


book: Neh
contenido:
Next, there were Shabbethai and Jozabad, the Levite leaders in charge of the work outside the temple.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then there was Mattaniah son of Mica. His ancestors were Zabdi and Asaph. Mattaniah led the temple choir in the prayer of praise. Bakbukiah, who also settled in Jerusalem, was his assistant. Finally, there was Abda son of Shammua; his grandfather was Galal, and his great-grandfather was Jeduthun.


book: Neh
contenido:
The rest of the Israelites, including priests and Levites, lived on their own property in the other towns of Judah.


book: Neh
contenido:
But the temple workers lived in the section of Jerusalem known as Ophel, and the two men in charge of them were Ziha and Gishpa.


book: Neh
contenido:
Uzzi son of Bani was the leader of the Levites in Jerusalem. His grandfather was Hashabiah, his great-grandfather was Mattaniah, and his great-great-grandfather was Mica. He belonged to the Asaph clan that was in charge of the music for the temple services,


book: Neh
contenido:
The people of Israel were represented at the Persian court by Pethahiah son of Meshezabel from the Zerah clan of the Judah tribe.


book: Neh
contenido:
Some of the people of Judah lived in the following towns near their farms: Kiriath-Arba, Dibon, Jekabzeel,


book: Neh
contenido:
Zanoah, Adullam, Lachish, and Azekah. In fact, they settled the towns from Beersheba in the south to Hinnom Valley in the north.


book: Neh
contenido:
Several groups of Levites from the territory of Judah were sent to live among the people of Benjamin.


book: Neh
contenido:
Many priests and Levites had returned from Babylonia with Zerubbabel and Joshua as their leaders. Those priests were Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,


book: Neh
contenido:
Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and another Jedaiah. These were the leading priests and their assistants during the time of Joshua.


book: Neh
contenido:
The Levites who returned were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah. They and their assistants were responsible for the songs of praise,


book: Neh
contenido:
while Bakbukiah and Unno, together with their assistants, were responsible for the choral responses.


book: Neh
contenido:
When Joiakim was high priest, the following priests were leaders of their clans: Meraiah of the Seraiah clan, Hananiah of Jeremiah,


book: Neh
contenido:
During the time of the high priests Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, and including the time that Darius was king of Persia, a record was kept of the heads of the Levite and priestly families.


book: Neh
contenido:
However, no official record was kept of the heads of the Levite clans after the death of Johanan, the grandson of Eliashib.


book: Neh
contenido:
Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their assistants organized two choirs of Levites to offer praises to God, just as King David, the man of God, had commanded.


book: Neh
contenido:
Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were responsible for guarding the storerooms near the temple gates.


book: Neh
contenido:
All of these men lived during the time of Joiakim and during the time that I was governor and Ezra, a teacher of the Law of Moses, was priest.


book: Neh
contenido:
When the city wall was dedicated, Levites from everywhere in Judah were invited to join in the celebration with songs of praise and with the music of cymbals, small harps, and other stringed instruments.


book: Neh
contenido:
The Levite singers lived in villages around Jerusalem, and so they came from there, as well as from the villages around Netophah, Beth-Gilgal, Geba, and Azmaveth.


book: Neh
contenido:
The priests and Levites held special ceremonies to make themselves holy, and then they did the same for the rest of the people and for the gates and walls of the city.


book: Neh
contenido:
I brought the leaders of Judah to the top of the city wall and put them in charge of the two groups that were to march around on top of the wall, singing praises to God. One group marched to the right in the direction of Garbage Gate.


book: Neh
contenido:
and his relatives, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani. They played musical instruments like those that had been played by David, the man of God. And they marched behind Ezra, the teacher of the Law.


book: Neh
contenido:
When they reached Fountain Gate, they climbed the steps to David's City and went past his palace, before stopping at the Water Gate near the eastern wall of the city.


book: Neh
contenido:
The second group of singers marched along the wall in the opposite direction, and I followed them, together with the other half of the leaders of Judah. We went past Oven Tower, Broad Wall,


book: Neh
contenido:
Ephraim Gate, Old Gate, Fish Gate, Hananel Tower, Hundred Tower, and on to Sheep Gate. Finally, we stopped at Gate of the Guard,


book: Neh
contenido:
where we stood in front of the temple with the other group, praising God. In the group with me were half of the leaders,


book: Neh
contenido:
as well as the priests Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, who were blowing trumpets.


book: Neh
contenido:
Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer also stood there, as Jezrahiah led the singers.


book: Neh
contenido:
God had made the people very happy, and so on that day they celebrated and offered many sacrifices. The women and children joined in the festivities, and joyful shouts could be heard far from the city of Jerusalem.


book: Neh
contenido:
On that same day, some leaders were appointed to be responsible for the safekeeping of gifts for the temple and to be in charge of receiving the first part of the harvest and the ten percent of the crops and livestock that was offered to God. These same leaders also collected the part of crops that the Law of Moses taught was to be given to the Levites. Everyone was pleased with the work of the priests and Levites,


book: Neh
contenido:
when they performed the ceremonies to make people acceptable to worship God. And the singers and the temple guards did their jobs according to the instructions given by David and his son Solomon.


book: Neh
contenido:
In fact, ever since the days of David and Asaph, there had been song leaders and songs of praise and worship.


book: Neh
contenido:
During the time that Zerubbabel and I were in charge, everyone in Israel gave what they were supposed to give for the daily needs of the singers and temple guards from the Levi tribe. Then the Levites would give the priests their share from what they had received.


book: Neh
contenido:
On that day when the Law of Moses was read aloud to everyone, it was discovered that Ammonites and Moabites were forbidden to belong to the people of God.


book: Neh
contenido:
This was because they had refused to give food and water to Israel and had hired Balaam to call down a curse on them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.


book: Neh
contenido:
Following the reading of the Law of Moses, the people of Israel started sending away anyone who had any foreign ancestors.


book: Neh
contenido:
The priest Eliashib was a relative of Tobiah and had earlier been put in charge of the temple storerooms.


book: Neh
contenido:
So he let Tobiah live in one of these rooms, where all kinds of things had been stored—the grain offerings, incense, utensils for the temple, as well as the tenth of the grain, wine, and olive oil that had been given for the use of the Levites, singers, and temple guards, and the gifts for the priests.


book: Neh
contenido:
This happened in the thirty-second year that Artaxerxes ruled Babylonia. I was away from Jerusalem at the time, because I was visiting him. Later I received permission from the king


book: Neh
contenido:
to return to Jerusalem. Only then did I find out that Eliashib had done this terrible thing of letting Tobiah have a room in the temple.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I ordered the room to be cleaned and the temple utensils, the grain offerings, and the incense to be brought back into the room.


book: Neh
contenido:
I also found out that the temple singers and several other Levites had returned to work on their farms, because they had not been given their share of the harvest.


book: Neh
contenido:
I called the leaders together and angrily asked them, “Why is the temple neglected?” Then I told them to start doing their jobs.


book: Neh
contenido:
After this, everyone in Judah brought a tenth of their grain, wine, and olive oil to the temple storeroom.


book: Neh
contenido:
Finally, I appointed three men with good reputations to be in charge of what was brought there and to distribute it to the others. They were Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the teacher of the Law, and Pedaiah the Levite. Their assistant was Hanan, the son of Zaccur and the grandson of Mattaniah.


book: Neh
contenido:
I pray that my God will remember these good things that I have done for his temple and for those who worship there.


book: Neh
contenido:
I also noticed what the people of Judah were doing on the Sabbath. Not only were they trampling grapes to make wine, but they were harvesting their grain, grapes, figs, and other crops, and then loading these on donkeys to sell in Jerusalem. So I warned them not to sell food on the Sabbath.


book: Neh
contenido:
People who had moved to Jerusalem from the city of Tyre were bringing in fish and other things to sell there on the Sabbath.


book: Neh
contenido:
Didn't God punish us and this city because our ancestors did these very same things? And here you are, about to make God furious again by disgracing the Sabbath!”


book: Neh
contenido:
I ordered the gates of Jerusalem to be closed on the eve of the Sabbath and not to be opened until after the Sabbath had ended. Then I put some of my own men in charge of the gates to make certain that nothing was brought in on the Sabbath.


book: Neh
contenido:
But I warned them, “If you do this again, I'll have you arrested.” From then on, they did not come on the Sabbath.


book: Neh
contenido:
I ordered the Levites to make themselves holy and to guard the gates on the Sabbath, so that it would be kept holy. God is truly merciful, and I pray that he will treat me with kindness and bless me for doing this.


book: Neh
contenido:
About half of their children could not speak Hebrew—they spoke only the language of Ashdod or some other foreign language.


book: Neh
contenido:
So in my anger, I called down curses on those men. I had them beaten and even pulled out the hair of some of them. Then I made them promise: In the name of God we solemnly promise not to let our sons and daughters marry foreigners.


book: Neh
contenido:
God dearly loved King Solomon of Israel and made him the greatest king on earth, but Solomon's foreign wives led him into sin.


book: Neh
contenido:
Jehoiada, the son of the high priest Eliashib, had a son who had married a daughter of Sanballat from Horon, and I forced his son to leave.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I made sure that the people were free from every foreign influence, and I assigned duties for the priests and Levites.


book: Neh
contenido:
I also arranged for the people to bring firewood to the altar each day and for them to bring the first part of their harvest to the temple. I pray that God will bless me for the good I have done.


book: Esth
contenido:
King Xerxes of Persia lived in his capital city of Susa and ruled 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia.


book: Esth
contenido:
During the third year of his rule, Xerxes gave a big dinner for all his officials and officers. The governors and leaders of the provinces were also invited, and even the commanders of the Persian and Median armies came.


book: Esth
contenido:
For 180 days he showed off his wealth and spent a lot of money to impress his guests with the greatness of his kingdom.


book: Esth
contenido:
At the end of this time, King Xerxes gave another dinner and invited everyone in the city of Susa, no matter who they were. The eating and drinking lasted seven days in the beautiful palace gardens.


book: Esth
contenido:
The area was decorated with blue and white cotton curtains tied back with purple linen cords that ran through silver rings fastened to marble columns. Couches of gold and silver rested on pavement that had all kinds of designs made from costly bright-colored stones and marble and mother-of-pearl.


book: Esth
contenido:
While the men were enjoying themselves, Queen Vashti gave the women a big dinner inside the royal palace.


book: Esth
contenido:
By the seventh day, King Xerxes was feeling happy because of so much wine. And he asked his seven personal servants, Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas,


book: Esth
contenido:
to bring Queen Vashti to him. The king wanted her to wear her crown and let his people and his officials see how beautiful she was.


book: Esth
contenido:
The king's servants told Queen Vashti what he had said, but she refused to go to him, and this made him terribly angry.


book: Esth
contenido:
The king called in the seven highest officials of Persia and Media. They were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were very wise and understood all the laws and customs of the country, and the king always asked them what they thought about such matters.


book: Esth
contenido:
The king said to them, “Queen Vashti refused to come to me when I sent my servants for her. What does the law say I should do about that?”


book: Esth
contenido:
Then Memucan told the king and the officials: Your Majesty, Queen Vashti has not only embarrassed you, but she has insulted your officials and everyone else in all the provinces.


book: Esth
contenido:
The women in the kingdom will hear about this, and they will refuse to respect their husbands. They will say, “If Queen Vashti doesn't obey her husband, why should we?”


book: Esth
contenido:
Before this day is over, the wives of the officials of Persia and Media will find out what Queen Vashti has done, and they will refuse to obey their husbands. They won't respect their husbands, and their husbands will be angry with them.


book: Esth
contenido:
Your Majesty, if you agree, you should write for the Medes and Persians a law that can never be changed. This law would keep Queen Vashti from ever seeing you again. Then you could let someone who respects you be queen in her place.


book: Esth
contenido:
When the women in your great kingdom hear about this new law, they will respect their husbands, no matter if they are rich or poor.


book: Esth
contenido:
and he sent letters to all of his provinces. Each letter was written in the language of the province to which it was sent, and it said that husbands should be in charge of their wives and children.


book: Esth
contenido:
After a while, King Xerxes got over being angry. But he kept thinking about what Vashti had done and the law that he had written because of her.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then the king's personal servants said: Your Majesty, a search must be made to find you some beautiful young women.


book: Esth
contenido:
You can select officers in every province to bring them to the place where you keep your wives in the capital city of Susa. Put your servant Hegai in charge of them since that is his job. He can see to it that they are given the proper beauty treatments.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then let the young woman who pleases you most take Vashti's place as queen. King Xerxes liked these suggestions, and he followed them.


book: Esth
contenido:
At this time a Jew named Mordecai was living in Susa. His father was Jair, and his grandfather Shimei was the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin.


book: Esth
contenido:
Kish was one of the people that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem, when he took King Jeconiah of Judah to Babylonia.


book: Esth
contenido:
Mordecai had a very beautiful cousin named Esther, whose Hebrew name was Hadassah. He had raised her as his own daughter, after her father and mother died.


book: Esth
contenido:
When the king ordered the search for beautiful women, many were taken to the king's palace in Susa, and Esther was one of them. Hegai was put in charge of all the women,


book: Esth
contenido:
and from the first day, Esther was his favorite. He began her beauty treatments at once. He also gave her plenty of food and seven special maids from the king's palace, and they had the best rooms.


book: Esth
contenido:
He was anxious to see how Esther was getting along and to learn what had happened to her. So each day he would walk back and forth in front of the court where the women lived.


book: Esth
contenido:
The young women were given beauty treatments for one whole year. The first six months their skin was rubbed with olive oil and myrrh, and the last six months it was treated with perfumes and cosmetics. Then each of them spent the night alone with King Xerxes.


book: Esth
contenido:
When a young woman went to the king, she could wear whatever clothes or jewelry she chose from the women's living quarters.


book: Esth
contenido:
In the evening she would go to the king, and the following morning she would go to the place where his wives stayed after being with him. There a man named Shaashgaz was in charge of the king's wives. Only the ones the king wanted and asked for by name could go back to the king.


book: Esth
contenido:
Xerxes had been king for seven years when Esther's turn came to go to him during Tebeth, the tenth month of the year. Everyone liked Esther. The king's personal servant Hegai was in charge of the women, and Esther trusted Hegai and asked him what she ought to take with her.


book: Esth
contenido:
Xerxes liked Esther more than he did any of the other young women. None of them pleased him as much as she did, and he immediately fell in love with her and crowned her queen in place of Vashti.


book: Esth
contenido:
In honor of Esther he gave a big dinner for his leaders and officials. Then he declared a holiday everywhere in his kingdom and gave expensive gifts.


book: Esth
contenido:
When the young women were brought together again, Esther's cousin Mordecai had become a palace official.


book: Esth
contenido:
He had told Esther never to tell anyone that she was a Jew, and she obeyed him, just as she had always done.


book: Esth
contenido:
Bigthana and Teresh were the two men who guarded King Xerxes' rooms, but they got angry with the king and decided to kill him.


book: Esth
contenido:
King Xerxes learned that Mordecai's report was true, and he had the two men hanged. Then the king had all of this written down in his record book as he watched.


book: Esth
contenido:
Later, King Xerxes promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha to the highest position in his kingdom. Haman was a descendant of Agag,


book: Esth
contenido:
and the king had given orders for his officials at the royal gate to honor Haman by kneeling down to him. All of them obeyed except Mordecai.


book: Esth
contenido:
he said, “Because I am a Jew.” They spoke to him for several days about kneeling down, but he still refused to obey. Finally, they reported this to Haman, to find out if he would let Mordecai get away with it.


book: Esth
contenido:
And when he found out that Mordecai was a Jew, he knew that killing only Mordecai was not enough. Every Jew in the whole kingdom had to be killed.


book: Esth
contenido:
It was now the twelfth year of the rule of King Xerxes. During Nisan, the first month of the year, Haman said, “Find out the best time for me to do this.” The time chosen was Adar, the twelfth month.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then Haman went to the king and said: Your Majesty, there are some people who live all over your kingdom and won't have a thing to do with anyone else. They have customs that are different from everyone else's, and they refuse to obey your laws. We would be better off to get rid of them!


book: Esth
contenido:
Why not give orders for all of them to be killed? I can promise that you will get tons of silver for your treasury.


book: Esth
contenido:
On the thirteenth day of Nisan, Haman called in the king's secretaries and ordered them to write letters in every language used in the kingdom. The letters were written in the name of the king and sealed by using the king's own ring. At once they were sent to the king's highest officials, the governors of each province, and the leaders of the different nations in the kingdom of Xerxes.


book: Esth
contenido:
The letters were taken by messengers to every part of the kingdom, and this is what was said in the letters: On the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month, all Jewish men, women, and children are to be killed. And their property is to be taken.


book: Esth
contenido:
King Xerxes gave orders for these letters to be posted where they could be seen by everyone all over the kingdom. The king's command was obeyed, and one of the letters was read aloud to the people in the walled city of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink together, but no one in the city could figure out what was going on.


book: Esth
contenido:
When Mordecai heard about the letter, he tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. Then he covered his head with ashes and went through the city, crying and weeping.


book: Esth
contenido:
But he could go only as far as the palace gate, because no one wearing sackcloth was allowed inside the palace.


book: Esth
contenido:
In every province where the king's orders were read, the Jews cried and mourned, and they went without eating. Many of them even put on sackcloth and sat in ashes.


book: Esth
contenido:
When Esther's servant girls and her other servants told her what Mordecai was doing, she became very upset and sent Mordecai some clothes to wear in place of the sackcloth. But he refused to take them.


book: Esth
contenido:
Esther had a servant named Hathach, who had been given to her by the king. So she called him in and said, “Find out what's wrong with Mordecai and why he's acting this way.”


book: Esth
contenido:
and Mordecai told him everything that had happened. He also told him how much money Haman had promised to add to the king's treasury, if all the Jews were killed.


book: Esth
contenido:
Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the orders for the murder of the Jews and told him that these had been read in Susa. He said, “Show this to Esther and explain what it means. Ask her to go to the king and beg him to have pity on her people, the Jews!”


book: Esth
contenido:
there is a law about going in to see the king, and all his officials and his people know about this law. Anyone who goes in to see the king without being invited by him will be put to death. The only way that anyone can be saved is for the king to hold out the gold scepter to that person. And it's been thirty days since he has asked for me.”


book: Esth
contenido:
he sent back this reply, “Don't think that you will escape being killed with the rest of the Jews, just because you live in the king's palace.


book: Esth
contenido:
If you don't speak up now, we will somehow get help, but you and your family will be killed. It could be that you were made queen for a time like this!”


book: Esth
contenido:
“Bring together all the Jews in Susa and tell them to go without eating for my sake! Don't eat or drink for three days and nights. My servant girls and I will do the same. Then I will go in to see the king, even if it means I must die.”


book: Esth
contenido:
Three days later, Esther dressed in her royal robes and went to the inner court of the palace in front of the throne. The king was sitting there, facing the open doorway.


book: Esth
contenido:
He was happy to see Esther, and he held out the gold scepter to her. When Esther came up and touched the tip of the scepter,


book: Esth
contenido:
the king said, “Esther, what brings you here? Just ask, and I will give you as much as half of my kingdom.”


book: Esth
contenido:
Esther answered, “Your Majesty, please come with Haman to a dinner I will prepare for you later today.”


book: Esth
contenido:
The king said to his servants, “Hurry and get Haman, so we can accept Esther's invitation.” The king and Haman went to Esther's dinner,


book: Esth
contenido:
and while they were drinking wine, the king asked her, “What can I do for you? Just ask, and I will give you as much as half of my kingdom.”


book: Esth
contenido:
Esther replied, “Your Majesty, if you really care for me and are willing to do what I want, please come again tomorrow with Haman to the dinner I will prepare for you. At that time I will answer Your Majesty's question.”


book: Esth
contenido:
Haman was feeling great as he left. But when he saw Mordecai at the palace gate, he noticed that Mordecai did not stand up or show him any respect. This made Haman really angry,


book: Esth
contenido:
and started bragging about his great wealth and all his sons. He told them the many ways that the king had honored him and how all the other officials and leaders had to respect him.


book: Esth
contenido:
Haman added, “That's not all! Besides the king himself, I'm the only person Queen Esther invited for dinner. She has also invited the king and me to dinner tomorrow.


book: Esth
contenido:
Haman's wife and friends said to him, “Have a gallows built about 22 meters high, and tomorrow morning ask the king to hang Mordecai there. Then later, you can have dinner with the king and enjoy yourself.” This seemed like a good idea to Haman, and he had the gallows built.


book: Esth
contenido:
That night the king could not sleep, and he had a servant read him the records of what had happened since he had been king.


book: Esth
contenido:
the king asked, “What has been done to reward Mordecai for this?” “Nothing, Your Majesty!” the king's servants replied.


book: Esth
contenido:
About this time, Haman came in to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on the gallows he had built. The king saw him and asked, “Who is that man waiting in front of the throne room?”


book: Esth
contenido:
The king's servants answered, “Your Majesty, it is Haman.” “Tell him to come in,” the king commanded.


book: Esth
contenido:
When Haman entered the room, the king asked him, “What should I do for a man I want to honor?” Haman was sure that he was the one the king wanted to honor.


book: Esth
contenido:
Tell one of your highest officials to place your robe on this man and lead him through the streets on your horse, while someone shouts, ‘This is how the king honors a man!’ ”


book: Esth
contenido:
The king replied, “Hurry and do just what you have said! Don't forget a thing. Get the robe and the horse for Mordecai the Jew, who serves as one of the king's officials!”


book: Esth
contenido:
Haman got the king's robe and put it on Mordecai. He led him through the city on the horse and shouted as he went, “This is how the king honors a man!”


book: Esth
contenido:
Afterwards, Mordecai returned to his duties in the king's palace, and Haman hurried home, hiding his face in shame.


book: Esth
contenido:
Haman told his wife and friends what had happened. Then his wife and his advisors said, “If Mordecai is a Jew, this is just the beginning of your troubles! You will end up a ruined man.”


book: Esth
contenido:
They were still talking, when the king's servants came and quickly took Haman to the dinner that Esther had prepared.


book: Esth
contenido:
and drinking wine during the second dinner, when the king again said, “Esther, what can I do for you? Just ask, and I will give you as much as half of my kingdom!”


book: Esth
contenido:
Esther answered, “Your Majesty, if you really care for me and are willing to help, you can save me and my people. That's what I really want,


book: Esth
contenido:
because a reward has been promised to anyone who kills my people. Your Majesty, if we were merely going to be sold as slaves, I would not have bothered you.”


book: Esth
contenido:
Esther replied, “That evil Haman is the one out to get us!” Haman was terrified, as he looked at the king and the queen.


book: Esth
contenido:
The king was so angry that he got up, left his wine, and went out into the palace garden. Haman realized that the king had already decided what to do with him, and he stayed and begged Esther to save his life.


book: Esth
contenido:
Just as the king came back into the room, Haman got down on his knees beside Esther, who was lying on the couch. The king shouted, “Now you're even trying to rape my queen here in my own palace!” As soon as the king said this, his servants covered Haman's head.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then Harbona, one of the king's personal servants, said, “Your Majesty, Haman built a gallows 22 meters high beside his house, so he could hang Mordecai on it. And Mordecai is the very one who spoke up and saved your life.” “Hang Haman from his own gallows!” the king commanded.


book: Esth
contenido:
Before the end of the day, King Xerxes gave Esther everything that had belonged to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Esther told the king that Mordecai was her cousin. So the king made Mordecai one of his highest officials


book: Esth
contenido:
and gave him the royal ring that Haman had worn. Then Esther put Mordecai in charge of Haman's property.


book: Esth
contenido:
Once again Esther went to speak to the king. This time she fell down at his feet, crying and begging, “Please stop Haman's evil plan to have the Jews killed!”


book: Esth
contenido:
and she got up and said, “Your Majesty, I know that you will do the right thing and that you really love me. Please stop what Haman has planned. He has already sent letters demanding that the Jews in all your provinces be killed,


book: Esth
contenido:
King Xerxes then said to Esther and Mordecai, “I have already ordered Haman to be hanged and his house given to Esther, because of his evil plans to kill the Jews.


book: Esth
contenido:
I now give you permission to make a law that will save the lives of your people. You may use my ring to seal the law, so that it can never be changed.”


book: Esth
contenido:
On the twenty-third day of Sivan, the third month, the king's secretaries wrote the law. They obeyed Mordecai and wrote to the Jews, the rulers, the governors, and the officials of all 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. The letters were written in every language used in the kingdom, including the Jewish language.


book: Esth
contenido:
They were written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with his ring. Then they were taken by messengers who rode the king's finest and fastest horses.


book: Esth
contenido:
In these letters the king said: On the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month, the Jews in every city and province will be allowed to get together and defend themselves. They may destroy any army that attacks them, and they may kill all of their enemies, including women and children. They may also take everything that belongs to their enemies. A copy of this law is to be posted in every province and read by everyone.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then the king ordered his messengers to take their fastest horses and deliver the law as quickly as possible to every province. When Mordecai left, he was wearing clothes fit for a king. He wore blue and white robes, a large gold crown, and a cape made of fine linen and purple cloth. After the law was announced in Susa, everyone shouted and cheered,


book: Esth
contenido:
and the Jews were no longer afraid. In fact, they were very happy and felt that they had won a victory.


book: Esth
contenido:
In every province and city where the law was sent, the Jews had parties and celebrated. Many of the people in the provinces accepted the Jewish religion, because they were now afraid of the Jews.


book: Esth
contenido:
The first law that the king had made was to be followed on the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. This was the very day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to do away with them. But the Jews turned things around,


book: Esth
contenido:
and in the cities of every province they came together to attack their enemies. Everyone was afraid of the Jews, and no one could do anything to oppose them.


book: Esth
contenido:
The leaders of the provinces, the rulers, the governors, and the court officials were afraid of Mordecai and took sides with the Jews.


book: Esth
contenido:
They killed 500 people in Susa, but they did not take anything that belonged to the ones they killed. Haman had been one of the worst enemies of the Jews, and ten of his sons were among those who were killed. Their names were Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then he told Esther, “Five hundred people, including Haman's ten sons, have been killed in Susa alone. If that many were killed here, what must have happened in the provinces? Is there anything else you want done? Just tell me, and it will be done.”


book: Esth
contenido:
Esther answered, “Your Majesty, please let the Jews in Susa fight to defend themselves tomorrow, just as they did today. And order the bodies of Haman's ten sons to be hanged in public.”


book: Esth
contenido:
Then on the fourteenth day of Adar the Jews of the city got together and killed 300 more people. But they still did not take anything that belonged to their enemies.


book: Esth
contenido:
On the thirteenth day of Adar, the Jews in the provinces had come together to defend themselves. They killed 75,000 of their enemies, but the Jews did not take anything that belonged to the ones they killed. Then on the fourteenth day of the month the Jews celebrated with a feast.


book: Esth
contenido:
On the fifteenth day of the month the Jews in Susa held a holiday and celebrated, after killing their enemies on the thirteenth and the fourteenth.


book: Esth
contenido:
This is why the Jews in the villages now celebrate on the fourteenth day of the month. It is a joyful holiday that they celebrate by feasting and sending gifts of food to each other.


book: Esth
contenido:
Mordecai wrote down everything that had happened. Then he sent letters to the Jews everywhere in the provinces


book: Esth
contenido:
the days when we Jews defeated our enemies. Remember this month as a time when our sorrow was turned to joy, and celebration took the place of crying. Celebrate by having parties and by giving to the poor and by sharing gifts of food with each other.


book: Esth
contenido:
They followed Mordecai's instructions and set aside these two days every year as a time of celebration.


book: Esth
contenido:
Haman was the son of Hammedatha and a descendant of Agag. He hated the Jews so much that he planned to destroy them, but he wanted to find out the best time to do it. So he cast lots.


book: Esth
contenido:
Esther went to King Xerxes and asked him to save her people. Then the king gave written orders for Haman and his sons to be punished in the same terrible way that Haman had in mind for the Jews. So they were hanged.


book: Esth
contenido:
Mordecai's letter had said that the Jews must celebrate for two days because of what had happened to them. This time of celebration is called Purim, which is the Hebrew word for the lots that were cast.


book: Esth
contenido:
Now every year the Jews set aside these two days for having parties and celebrating, just as they were told to do.


book: Esth
contenido:
Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, wanted to give full authority to Mordecai's letter about the Festival of Purim, and with his help she wrote a letter about the feast.


book: Esth
contenido:
Copies of this letter were sent to Jews in the 127 provinces of King Xerxes. In the letter they said: We pray that all of you will live in peace and safety.


book: Esth
contenido:
You and your descendants must always remember to celebrate Purim at the time and in the way that we have said. You must also follow the instructions that we have given you about mourning and going without eating.


book: Esth
contenido:
All the great and famous things that King Xerxes did are written in the record books of the kings of Media and Persia. These records also tell about the honors that the king gave to Mordecai.


book: Esth
contenido:
Next to the king himself, Mordecai was the highest official in the kingdom. He was a popular leader of the Jews, because he helped them in many ways and would even speak to the king on their behalf.


book: Job
contenido:
Many years ago, a man named Job lived in the land of Uz. He was a truly good person, who respected God and refused to do evil.


book: Job
contenido:
He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 pair of oxen, 500 donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the richest person in the East.


book: Job
contenido:
Job's sons took turns having feasts in their homes, and they always invited their three sisters to join in the eating and drinking.


book: Job
contenido:
After each feast, Job would send for his children and perform a ceremony, as a way of asking God to forgive them of any wrongs they may have done. He would get up early the next morning and offer a sacrifice for each of them, just in case they had sinned or silently cursed God.


book: Job
contenido:
the LORD asked, “Satan, where have you been?” Satan replied, “I have been going all over the earth.”


book: Job
contenido:
Then the LORD asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him—he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil.”


book: Job
contenido:
“You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere.


book: Job
contenido:
The LORD replied, “All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don't harm Job.” Then Satan left.


book: Job
contenido:
when someone rushed up to Job and said, “While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass,


book: Job
contenido:
a gang of Sabeans attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”


book: Job
contenido:
That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running and said, “God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”


book: Job
contenido:
Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, “Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”


book: Job
contenido:
That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, “Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son,


book: Job
contenido:
when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”


book: Job
contenido:
When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God


book: Job
contenido:
and said: “We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The LORD alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the LORD!”


book: Job
contenido:
and the LORD asked, “Satan, where have you been?” Satan replied, “I have been going all over the earth.”


book: Job
contenido:
Then the LORD asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him—he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil. And he hasn't changed, even though you persuaded me to destroy him for no reason.”


book: Job
contenido:
Then Job sat on the ash-heap to show his sorrow. And while he was scraping his sores with a broken piece of pottery,


book: Job
contenido:
Job replied, “Don't talk like a fool! If we accept blessings from God, we must accept trouble as well.” In all that happened, Job never once said anything against God.


book: Job
contenido:
Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuah, and Zophar from Naamah were three of Job's friends, and they heard about his troubles. So they agreed to visit Job and comfort him.


book: Job
contenido:
When they came near enough to see Job, they could hardly recognize him. And in their great sorrow, they tore their clothes, then sprinkled dust on their heads and cried bitterly.


book: Job
contenido:
For seven days and nights, they sat silently on the ground beside him, because they realized what terrible pain he was in.


book: Job
contenido:
It stopped and stood still. Then a form appeared— a shapeless form. And from the silence, I heard a voice say,


book: Job
contenido:
Why do you watch us so closely? What's it to you, if I sin? Why am I your target and such a heavy burden?


book: Job
contenido:
and set the stars in place— the Big Dipper and Orion, the Pleiades and the stars in the southern sky.


book: Job
contenido:
Your words have silenced others and made them ashamed; now it is only right for you to be put to shame.


book: Job
contenido:
and let you know that wisdom has many different sides. You would then discover that God has punished you less than you deserve.


book: Job
contenido:
They are higher than the heavens and deeper than the grave. So what can you do when you know so little,


book: Job
contenido:
Those who gained such insights also gained the land, and they were not influenced by foreign teachings.


book: Job
contenido:
Everything was going well, until God grabbed my neck and shook me to pieces. God set me up as the target


book: Job
contenido:
People who are truly good would feel so alarmed, that they would become angry with my worthless friends.


book: Job
contenido:
and what they treasure most will be lost in the dark. God will send flames to destroy them in their tents with all their property.


book: Job
contenido:
You say, “God will punish those sinners' children in place of those sinners.” But I say, “Let him punish those sinners themselves until they really feel it.


book: Job
contenido:
Then they are forced to work naked in the grain fields because they have no clothes, and they go hungry.


book: Job
contenido:
Others wait for the dark, thinking they won't be seen if they sleep with the wife or husband of someone else.


book: Job
contenido:
Those sinners are filthy foam on the surface of the water. And so, their fields and vineyards will fall under a curse and won't produce.


book: Job
contenido:
But God's mighty strength destroys those in power. Even if they seem successful, they are doomed to fail.


book: Job
contenido:
These things are merely a whisper of God's power at work. How little we would understand if this whisper ever turned into thunder!


book: Job
contenido:
My advice was followed as though I were a king leading my troops, or someone comforting those in sorrow.


book: Job
contenido:
Why doesn't God All-Powerful listen and answer? If God has something against me, let him speak up or put it in writing!


book: Job
contenido:
If I had, I would pray for weeds instead of wheat to grow in my fields. After saying these things, Job was silent.


book: Job
contenido:
and we ask God to accept us. Then we joyfully worship God, and we are rewarded because we are innocent.


book: Job
contenido:
Job also argues that God considers him a liar and that he is suffering severely in spite of his innocence.


book: Job
contenido:
Even powerful rulers die in the darkness of night when they least expect it, just like the rest of us.


book: Job
contenido:
Do you make the rules, or does God? You have to decide— I can't do it for you; now make up your mind.


book: Job
contenido:
And at this very moment, God deeply desires to lead you from trouble and to spread your table with your favorite food.


book: Job
contenido:
And so we humans fear God, because he shows no respect for those who are proud and think they know so much.


book: Job
contenido:
She treats her eggs as though they were not her own, unconcerned that her work might be for nothing.


book: Job
contenido:
You asked why I talk so much when I know so little. I have talked about things that are far beyond my understanding.


book: Job
contenido:
The LORD said to Eliphaz: What my servant Job has said about me is true, but I am angry with you and your two friends for not telling the truth.


book: Job
contenido:
So I want you to go over to Job and offer seven bulls and seven goats on an altar as a sacrifice to please me. After this, Job will pray, and I will agree not to punish you for your foolishness.


book: Job
contenido:
Then Job gave a feast for his brothers and sisters and for his old friends. They expressed their sorrow for the suffering the LORD had brought on him, and they each gave Job some silver and a gold ring.


book: Job
contenido:
The LORD now blessed Job more than ever; he gave him 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 pair of oxen, and 1,000 donkeys.


book: Job
contenido:
They were the most beautiful women in that part of the world, and Job gave them shares of his property, along with their brothers.


book: Job
contenido:
Job lived for another 140 years—long enough to see his great-grandchildren have children of their own—


book: Ps
contenido:
God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won't follow sinners or join in sneering at God.


book: Ps
contenido:
They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do.


book: Ps
contenido:
Sinners won't have an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won't have a place with the people of God.


book: Ps
contenido:
I will tell the promise that the LORD made to me: “You are my son, because today I have become your father.


book: Ps
contenido:
Show respect to his son because if you don't, the LORD might become furious and suddenly destroy you. But he blesses and protects everyone who runs to him.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are my God and protector. Please answer my prayer. I was in terrible distress, but you set me free. Now have pity and listen as I pray.


book: Ps
contenido:
How long will you people refuse to respect me? You love foolish things, and you run after what is worthless.


book: Ps
contenido:
But each of you had better tremble and turn from your sins. Silently search your heart as you lie in bed.


book: Ps
contenido:
Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, LORD, and I am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple.


book: Ps
contenido:
Nothing they say is true! They just want to destroy. Their words are deceitful like a hidden pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies.


book: Ps
contenido:
Punish them, God, and let their own plans bring their downfall. Get rid of them! They keep committing crimes and turning against you.


book: Ps
contenido:
Let all who run to you for protection always sing joyful songs. Provide shelter for those who truly love you and let them rejoice.


book: Ps
contenido:
If I have done any of this, then let my enemies chase and capture me. Let them trample me to death and leave me in the dirt.


book: Ps
contenido:
You know every heart and mind, and you always do right. Now make violent people stop, but protect all of us who obey you.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above.


book: Ps
contenido:
With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our enemies are destroyed completely for all time. Their cities are torn down, and they will never be remembered again.


book: Ps
contenido:
You showed what you are like, and you made certain that justice is done, but evil people are trapped by their own evil deeds.


book: Ps
contenido:
They are always successful, though they can't understand your teachings, and they keep sneering at their enemies.


book: Ps
contenido:
They are hungry lions hiding in the bushes, hoping to catch some helpless passerby. They trap the poor in nets and drag them away.


book: Ps
contenido:
But you see the trouble and the distress, and you will do something. The poor can count on you, and so can orphans.


book: Ps
contenido:
You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help.


book: Ps
contenido:
You tell me, “Watch out! Those evil people have put their arrows on their bows, and they are standing in the shadows, aiming at good people.


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD is sitting in his sacred temple on his throne in heaven. He knows everything we do because he sees us all.


book: Ps
contenido:
He will send fiery coals and flaming sulfur down on the wicked, and they will drink nothing but a scorching wind.


book: Ps
contenido:
But you, LORD, tell them, “I will do something! The poor are mistreated and helpless people moan. I'll rescue all who suffer.”


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, you are true to your promises, and your word is like silver heated seven times in a fiery furnace.


book: Ps
contenido:
Please listen, LORD God, and answer my prayers. Make my eyes sparkle again, or else I will fall into the sleep of death.


book: Ps
contenido:
Only a fool would say, “There is no God!” People like that are worthless; they are heartless and cruel and never do right.


book: Ps
contenido:
I long for someone from Zion to come and save Israel! Our LORD, when you bless your people again, Jacob's family will be glad, and Israel will celebrate.


book: Ps
contenido:
They hate worthless people, but show respect for all who worship the LORD. And they keep their promises, no matter what the cost.


book: Ps
contenido:
They lend their money without charging interest, and they don't take bribes to hurt the innocent. Those who do these things will always stand firm.


book: Ps
contenido:
but worshipers of other gods will have much sorrow. I refuse to offer sacrifices of blood to those gods or worship in their name.


book: Ps
contenido:
You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.


book: Ps
contenido:
I am innocent, LORD! Won't you listen as I pray and beg for help? I am honest! Please hear my prayer.


book: Ps
contenido:
You know my heart, and even during the night you have tested me and found me innocent. I have made up my mind never to tell a lie.


book: Ps
contenido:
Show your wonderful love. Your mighty arm protects those who run to you for safety from their enemies.


book: Ps
contenido:
Use your powerful arm and rescue me from the hands of mere humans whose world won't last. You provide food for those you love. Their children have plenty, and their grandchildren will have more than enough.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter.


book: Ps
contenido:
LORD Most High, your voice thundered from the heavens, as hailstones and fiery coals poured down like rain.


book: Ps
contenido:
You alone are my shield. Your right hand supports me, and by coming to help me, you have made me famous.


book: Ps
contenido:
You rescued me from stubborn people, and you made me the leader of foreign nations, who are now my slaves.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are the living LORD! I will praise you. You are a mighty rock. I will honor you for keeping me safe.


book: Ps
contenido:
Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world. In the heavens a tent is set up for the sun.


book: Ps
contenido:
The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people.


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD's instruction is right; it makes our hearts glad. His commands shine brightly, and they give us light.


book: Ps
contenido:
Don't let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault.


book: Ps
contenido:
Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.


book: Ps
contenido:
I pray that the LORD will listen when you are in trouble, and that the God of Jacob will keep you safe.


book: Ps
contenido:
Then you will win victories, and we will celebrate, while raising our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers!


book: Ps
contenido:
I am certain, LORD, that you will help your chosen king. You will answer my prayers from your holy place in heaven, and you will save me with your mighty arm.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, your mighty power makes the king glad, and he celebrates victories that you have given him.


book: Ps
contenido:
You have given him blessings that will last forever, and you have made him glad by being so near to him.


book: Ps
contenido:
They will be destroyed by fire once you are here, and because of your anger, flames will swallow them.


book: Ps
contenido:
My God, my God, why have you deserted me? Why are you so far away? Won't you listen to my groans and come to my rescue?


book: Ps
contenido:
When they cried out for help, you saved them, and you did not let them down when they depended on you.


book: Ps
contenido:
You, LORD, brought me safely through birth, and you protected me when I was a baby at my mother's breast.


book: Ps
contenido:
From the day I was born, I have been in your care, and from the time of my birth, you have been my God.


book: Ps
contenido:
I have no more strength than a few drops of water. All my bones are out of joint; my heart is like melted wax.


book: Ps
contenido:
My strength has dried up like a broken clay pot, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You, God, have left me to die in the dirt.


book: Ps
contenido:
All who worship the LORD, now praise him! You belong to Jacob's family and to the people of Israel, so fear and honor the LORD!


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD doesn't hate or despise the helpless in all of their troubles. When I cried out, he listened and did not turn away.


book: Ps
contenido:
When your people meet, you will fill my heart with your praises, LORD, and everyone will see me keep my promises to you.


book: Ps
contenido:
Everyone on this earth will remember you, LORD. People all over the world will turn and worship you,


book: Ps
contenido:
All who are rich and have more than enough will bow down to you, Lord. Even those who are dying and almost in the grave will come and bow down.


book: Ps
contenido:
I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe.


book: Ps
contenido:
You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.


book: Ps
contenido:
Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD.


book: Ps
contenido:
The earth and everything on it, including its people, belong to the LORD. The world and its people belong to him.


book: Ps
contenido:
Don't sweep me away, as you do sinners. Don't punish me with death as you do those people who are brutal


book: Ps
contenido:
You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears.


book: Ps
contenido:
Brutal people may attack and try to kill me, but they will stumble. Fierce enemies may attack, but they will fall.


book: Ps
contenido:
I ask only one thing, LORD: Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are and to pray in your temple.


book: Ps
contenido:
In times of trouble, LORD, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock.


book: Ps
contenido:
You will let me defeat all my enemies. Then I will celebrate, as I enter your tent with animal sacrifices and songs of praise.


book: Ps
contenido:
so don't hide from me. I am your servant, LORD, and you have helped me. Don't turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe. Don't reject or desert me.


book: Ps
contenido:
Only you, LORD, are a mighty rock! Don't refuse to help me when I pray. If you don't answer me, I will soon be dead.


book: Ps
contenido:
They don't pay any attention to your wonderful deeds. Now you will destroy them and leave them in ruin.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are my strong shield, and I trust you completely. You have helped me, and I will celebrate and thank you in song.


book: Ps
contenido:
The voice of the LORD echoes over the oceans. The glorious LORD God thunders above the roar of the raging sea,


book: Ps
contenido:
The voice of the LORD makes deer give birth before their time. Forests are stripped of leaves, and the temple is filled with shouts of praise.


book: Ps
contenido:
Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate.


book: Ps
contenido:
You, LORD, were my friend, and you made me strong as a mighty mountain. But when you hid your face, I was crushed.


book: Ps
contenido:
“What good will it do you if I am in the grave? Once I have turned to dust, how can I praise you or tell how loyal you are?


book: Ps
contenido:
I come to you, LORD, for protection. Don't let me be ashamed. Do as you have promised and rescue me.


book: Ps
contenido:
You, LORD God, are my mighty rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me, so that your name will be honored.


book: Ps
contenido:
I have known only sorrow all my life long, and I suffer year after year. I am weak from sin, and my bones are limp.


book: Ps
contenido:
My enemies insult me. Neighbors are even worse, and I disgust my friends. People meet me on the street, and they turn and run.


book: Ps
contenido:
I pray only to you. Don't disappoint me. Disappoint my cruel enemies until they lie silent in their graves.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are wonderful, and while everyone watches, you store up blessings for all who honor and trust you.


book: Ps
contenido:
I was terrified and thought, “They've chased me far away from you!” But you answered my prayer when I shouted for help.


book: Ps
contenido:
All who belong to the LORD, show how you love him. The LORD protects the faithful, but he severely punishes everyone who is proud.


book: Ps
contenido:
You bless them by saying, “You told me your sins, without trying to hide them, and now I forgive you.”


book: Ps
contenido:
So I confessed my sins and told them all to you. I said, “I'll tell the LORD each one of my sins.” Then you forgave me and took away my guilt.


book: Ps
contenido:
We worship you, Lord, and we should always pray whenever we find out that we have sinned. Then we won't be swept away by a raging flood.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are my hiding place! You protect me from trouble, and you put songs in my heart because you have saved me.


book: Ps
contenido:
You said to me, “I will point out the road that you should follow. I will be your teacher and watch over you.


book: Ps
contenido:
Mighty armies alone cannot win wars for a king; great strength by itself cannot keep a soldier safe.


book: Ps
contenido:
Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good.


book: Ps
contenido:
Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished.


book: Ps
contenido:
Let all who want to kill me be disgraced and put to shame. Chase away and confuse all who plan to harm me.


book: Ps
contenido:
Surprise them with disaster! Trap them in their own nets and let them fall and rot in the pits they have dug.


book: Ps
contenido:
Every bone in my body will shout: “No one is like the LORD!” You protect the helpless from those in power; you save the poor and needy from those who hurt them.


book: Ps
contenido:
But all you do is watch! When will you do something? Save me from the attack of those vicious lions.


book: Ps
contenido:
Don't let my brutal enemies be glad because of me. They hate me for no reason. Don't let them wink behind my back.


book: Ps
contenido:
Disappoint and confuse all who are glad to see me in trouble; disgrace and embarrass my proud enemies who say to me, “You are nothing!”


book: Ps
contenido:
Let all who want me to win be happy and joyful. From now on let them say, “The LORD is wonderful! God is glad when all goes well for his servant.”


book: Ps
contenido:
Those people stay awake, thinking up mischief, and they follow the wrong road, refusing to turn from sin.


book: Ps
contenido:
Your decisions are always fair. They are firm like mountains, deep like the sea, and all people and animals are under your care.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, keep showing love to everyone who knows you, and use your power to save all whose thoughts please you.


book: Ps
contenido:
Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things.


book: Ps
contenido:
As long as I can remember, good people have never been left helpless, and their children have never gone begging for food.


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD loves justice, and he won't ever desert his faithful people. He always protects them, but destroys the children of the wicked.


book: Ps
contenido:
Think of the bright future waiting for all the families of honest, innocent, and peace-loving people.


book: Ps
contenido:
All who want me dead set traps to catch me, and those who want to harm and destroy me plan and plot all day.


book: Ps
contenido:
I told myself, “I'll be careful not to sin by what I say, and I'll muzzle my mouth when evil people are near.”


book: Ps
contenido:
and it disappears like a shadow. Our struggles are senseless; we store up more and more, without ever knowing who will get it all.


book: Ps
contenido:
You punish us severely because of our sins. Like a moth, you destroy what we treasure most. We are as frail as a breath.


book: Ps
contenido:
“Listen, LORD, to my prayer! My eyes are flooded with tears, as I pray to you. I am merely a stranger visiting in your home as my ancestors did.


book: Ps
contenido:
and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the LORD God.


book: Ps
contenido:
You, LORD God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done.


book: Ps
contenido:
Sacrifices and offerings are not what please you; gifts and payment for sin are not what you demand. But you made me willing to listen and obey.


book: Ps
contenido:
When all your people met, I did not keep silent. I said, “Our LORD is kind. He is faithful and caring, and he saves us.”


book: Ps
contenido:
I have more troubles than I can count. My sins are all around me, and I can't find my way. My sins outnumber the hairs on my head, and I feel weak.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, let your worshipers rejoice and be glad. They love you for saving them, so let them always say, “The LORD is wonderful!”


book: Ps
contenido:
I am poor and needy, but, LORD God, you care about me, and you come to my rescue. Please hurry and help.


book: Ps
contenido:
You, LORD God, bless everyone who cares for the poor, and you rescue those people in times of trouble.


book: Ps
contenido:
You protect them and keep them alive. You make them happy here in this land, and you don't hand them over to their enemies.


book: Ps
contenido:
When visitors come, all they ever bring are worthless words, and when they leave, they spread gossip.


book: Ps
contenido:
Sorrow floods my heart, when I remember leading the worshipers to your house. I can still hear them shout their joyful praises.


book: Ps
contenido:
Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I should trust you, LORD. I will praise you again because you help me,


book: Ps
contenido:
and you are my God. I am deeply discouraged, and so I think about you here where the Jordan begins at Mount Hermon and at Mount Mizar.


book: Ps
contenido:
Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you, LORD! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.


book: Ps
contenido:
Show that I am right, God! Defend me against everyone who doesn't know you; rescue me from each of those deceitful liars.


book: Ps
contenido:
Then I will worship at your altar because you make me joyful. You are my God, and I will praise you. Yes, I will praise you as I play my harp.


book: Ps
contenido:
You chased off the nations by causing them trouble with your powerful arm. Then you let our ancestors take over their land.


book: Ps
contenido:
Their strength and weapons were not what won the land and gave them victory! You loved them and fought with your powerful arm and your shining glory.


book: Ps
contenido:
My thoughts are filled with beautiful words for the king, and I will use my voice as a writer would use pen and ink.


book: Ps
contenido:
and ride out in splendor! Win victories for truth and mercy and justice. Do fearsome things with your powerful arm.


book: Ps
contenido:
You love justice and hate evil. And so, your God chose you and made you happier than any of your friends.


book: Ps
contenido:
The sweet aroma of the spices myrrh, aloes, and cassia covers your royal robes. You enjoy the music of harps in palaces decorated with ivory.


book: Ps
contenido:
Daughters of kings are here, and your bride stands at your right side, wearing a wedding gown trimmed with pure gold.


book: Ps
contenido:
with precious treasures. Your bride, my king, has inward beauty, and her wedding gown is woven with threads of gold.


book: Ps
contenido:
Your sons and your grandsons will also be kings as your ancestors were. You will make them rulers everywhere on earth.


book: Ps
contenido:
God brings wars to an end all over the world. He breaks the arrows, shatters the spears, and burns the shields.


book: Ps
contenido:
Their leaders come together and are now the people of Abraham's God. All rulers on earth surrender their weapons, and God is greatly praised!


book: Ps
contenido:
beautiful and majestic, brings joy to all on earth. Mount Zion, truly sacred, is home for the Great King.


book: Ps
contenido:
We had heard about it, and now we have seen it in the city of our God, the LORD All-Powerful. This is the city that God will let stand forever.


book: Ps
contenido:
They are like sheep with death as their shepherd, leading them to the grave. In the morning God's people will walk all over them, as their bodies lie rotting in their home, the grave.


book: Ps
contenido:
But to the wicked I say: “You don't have the right to mention my laws or claim to keep our agreement!


book: Ps
contenido:
When you did all this, I didn't say a word, and you thought, “God is just like us!” But now I will accuse you.


book: Ps
contenido:
The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart. Obey me, and I, your God, will show my power to save.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are really the one I have sinned against; I have disobeyed you and have done wrong. So it is right and fair for you to correct and punish me.


book: Ps
contenido:
Keep me from any deadly sin. Only you can save me! Then I will shout and sing about your power to save.


book: Ps
contenido:
The way to please you is to be truly sorry deep in our hearts. This is the kind of sacrifice you won't refuse.


book: Ps
contenido:
Then you will be pleased with the proper sacrifices, and we will offer bulls on your altar once again.


book: Ps
contenido:
God will destroy you forever! He will grab you and drag you from your homes. You will be uprooted and left to die.


book: Ps
contenido:
Only a fool would say, “There is no God!” People like that are worthless! They are heartless and cruel and never do right.


book: Ps
contenido:
But you will be terrified worse than ever before. God will scatter the bones of his enemies, and you will be ashamed when God rejects you.


book: Ps
contenido:
I long for someone from Zion to come and save Israel! Our God, when you bless your people again, Jacob's family will be glad, and Israel will celebrate.


book: Ps
contenido:
I will bring a gift and offer a sacrifice to you, LORD. I will praise your name because you are good.


book: Ps
contenido:
My enemies are not the ones who sneer and make fun. I could put up with that or even hide from them.


book: Ps
contenido:
All who hate me are controlled by the power of evil. Sentence them to death and send them down alive to the world of the dead.


book: Ps
contenido:
You have always ruled, and you will hear me. You will defeat my enemies because they won't turn and worship you.


book: Ps
contenido:
His words were smoother than butter, and softer than olive oil. But hatred filled his heart, and he was ready to attack with a sword.


book: Ps
contenido:
But what about those people who are cruel and brutal? You will throw them down into the deepest pit long before their time. I trust you, LORD!


book: Ps
contenido:
You have kept record of my days of wandering. You have stored my tears in your bottle and counted each of them.


book: Ps
contenido:
You protected me from death and kept me from stumbling, so that I would please you and follow the light that leads to life.


book: Ps
contenido:
God Most High, have pity on me! Have mercy. I run to you for safety. In the shadow of your wings, I seek protection till danger dies down.


book: Ps
contenido:
You will send help from heaven and save me, but you will bring trouble on my attackers. You are faithful, and you can be trusted.


book: Ps
contenido:
My enemies are fierce, much worse than lions! They have spears and arrows instead of teeth, and they have sharp swords instead of tongues.


book: Ps
contenido:
Enemies set traps for my feet and struck me down. They dug a pit in my path, but fell in it themselves.


book: Ps
contenido:
Good people will be glad when they see the wicked getting what they deserve, and they will wash their feet in their enemies' blood.


book: Ps
contenido:
Everyone will say, “It's true! Good people are rewarded. God does indeed rule the earth with justice.”


book: Ps
contenido:
Merciless enemies, LORD, are hiding and plotting, hoping to kill me. I have not hurt them in any way at all.


book: Ps
contenido:
LORD God All-Powerful, you are the God of Israel. Punish the other nations and don't pity those terrible and rebellious people.


book: Ps
contenido:
Don't kill them, or everyone may forget! Just use your mighty power to make them tremble and fall. You are a shield for your people.


book: Ps
contenido:
Get angry and destroy them. Leave them in ruin. Then all the nations will know that you rule in Israel.


book: Ps
contenido:
But I will sing about your strength, my God, and I will celebrate because of your love. You are my fortress, my place of protection in times of trouble.


book: Ps
contenido:
Answer our prayers, God! Use your powerful arm and give us victory. Then the people you love will be safe.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our God, you solemnly promised, “I would gladly divide up the city of Shechem and give away Succoth Valley piece by piece.


book: Ps
contenido:
The lands of Gilead and Manasseh are mine. Ephraim is my war helmet, and Judah is the symbol of my royal power.


book: Ps
contenido:
I feel hopeless, and I cry out to you from a faraway land. Lead me to the mighty rock high above me.


book: Ps
contenido:
You want to bring me down from my place of honor. You love to tell lies, and when your words are kind, hatred hides in your heart.


book: Ps
contenido:
We humans are only a breath; none of us are truly great. All of us together weigh less than a puff of air.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert.


book: Ps
contenido:
Because of you, our God, the king will celebrate with your faithful followers, but liars will be silent.


book: Ps
contenido:
You bless your chosen ones, and you invite them to live near you in your temple. We will enjoy your house, the sacred temple.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our God, you save us, and your fearsome deeds answer our prayers for justice! You give hope to people everywhere on earth, even those across the sea.


book: Ps
contenido:
People far away marvel at your fearsome deeds, and all who live under the sun celebrate and sing because of you.


book: Ps
contenido:
You take care of the earth and send rain to help the soil grow all kinds of crops. Your rivers never run dry, and you prepare the earth to produce abundant grain.


book: Ps
contenido:
You water all its fields and level the lumpy ground. You send showers of rain to soften the soil and help the plants sprout.


book: Ps
contenido:
His mighty power rules forever, and nothing the nations do can be hidden from him. So don't turn against God.


book: Ps
contenido:
You sent war chariots to crush our skulls. We traveled through fire and through floods, but you brought us to a land of plenty.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our God, you are the one who rides on the clouds, and we praise you. Your name is the LORD, and we celebrate as we worship you.


book: Ps
contenido:
You find families for those who are lonely. You set prisoners free and let them prosper, but all who rebel will live in a scorching desert.


book: Ps
contenido:
God of Israel, the earth trembled, and rain poured down. You alone are the God who rules from Mount Sinai.


book: Ps
contenido:
And for those who stayed back to guard the sheep, there are metal doves with silver-coated wings and shiny gold feathers.”


book: Ps
contenido:
When you climbed the high mountain, you took prisoners with you and were given gifts. Your enemies didn't want you to live there, but they gave you gifts.


book: Ps
contenido:
The small tribe of Benjamin leads the way, followed by the leaders from Judah. Then come the leaders from Zebulun and Naphtali.


book: Ps
contenido:
Punish that animal that lives in the swamp! Punish that nation whose leaders and people are like wild bulls. Make them come crawling with gifts of silver. Scatter those nations that enjoy making war.


book: Ps
contenido:
I am sinking deep in the mud, and my feet are slipping. I am about to be swept under by a mighty flood.


book: Ps
contenido:
There are more people who hate me for no reason than there are hairs on my head. Many terrible enemies want to destroy me, God. Am I supposed to give back something I didn't steal?


book: Ps
contenido:
My love for your house burns in me like a fire, and when others insult you, they insulted me as well.


book: Ps
contenido:
God will rescue Jerusalem, and he will rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there on their own land,


book: Ps
contenido:
and when the time comes, their children will inherit the land. Then everyone who loves God will also settle there.


book: Ps
contenido:
Let your worshipers celebrate and be glad because of you. They love your saving power, so let them always say, “God is wonderful!”


book: Ps
contenido:
I am poor and needy, but you, the LORD God, care about me. You are the one who saves me. Please hurry and help!


book: Ps
contenido:
Be my mighty rock, the place where I can always run for protection. Save me by your command! You are my mighty rock and my fortress.


book: Ps
contenido:
I have relied on you from the day I was born. You brought me safely through birth, and I always praise you.


book: Ps
contenido:
All day long I will tell the wonderful things you do to save your people. But you have done much more than I could possibly know.


book: Ps
contenido:
Don't leave me when I am old and my hair turns gray. Let me tell future generations about your mighty power.


book: Ps
contenido:
I will praise you, God, the Holy One of Israel. You are faithful. I will play the harp and sing your praises.


book: Ps
contenido:
All day long I will announce your power to save. I will tell how you disgraced and disappointed those who wanted to hurt me.


book: Ps
contenido:
Force the rulers of Tarshish and of the islands to pay taxes to him. Make the kings of Sheba and of Seba bring gifts.


book: Ps
contenido:
Do this because the king rescues the homeless when they cry out, and he helps everyone who is poor and in need.


book: Ps
contenido:
Let cities overflow with food and hills be covered with grain, just like Mount Lebanon. Let the people in the cities prosper like wild flowers.


book: Ps
contenido:
May the glory of the king shine brightly forever like the sun in the sky. Let him make nations prosper and learn to praise him.


book: Ps
contenido:
We will always praise your glorious name. Let your glory be seen everywhere on earth. Amen and amen.


book: Ps
contenido:
All-Powerful LORD God, those who stay far from you will be lost, and you will destroy those who are unfaithful.


book: Ps
contenido:
It is good for me to be near you. I choose you as my protector, and I will tell about your wonderful deeds.


book: Ps
contenido:
Remember the people you rescued long ago, the tribe you chose for your very own. Think of Mount Zion, your home;


book: Ps
contenido:
They said to themselves, “We'll crush them!” Then they burned every one of your meeting places all over the country.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our God and King, you have ruled since ancient times; you have won victories everywhere on this earth.


book: Ps
contenido:
You treat us like pet doves, but they mistreat us. Don't keep forgetting us and letting us be fed to those wild animals.


book: Ps
contenido:
Remember the agreement you made with us. Violent enemies are hiding in every dark corner of the earth.


book: Ps
contenido:
Don't disappoint those in need or make them turn from you, but help the poor and homeless to shout your praises.


book: Ps
contenido:
You hold in your hand a cup filled with wine, strong and foaming. You will pour out some for every sinful person on this earth, and they will have to drink until it is gone.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our Lord, you will destroy the power of evil people, but you will give strength to those who are good.


book: Ps
contenido:
From heaven you announced your decisions as judge! And all who live on this earth were terrified and silent


book: Ps
contenido:
Everyone, make your promises to the LORD your God and do what you promise. The LORD is fearsome, and all his servants should bring him gifts.


book: Ps
contenido:
In days filled with trouble, I search for you. And at night I tirelessly lift my hands in prayer, refusing comfort.


book: Ps
contenido:
Then I said, “God Most High, what hurts me most is that you no longer help us with your mighty arm.”


book: Ps
contenido:
Your thunder roared like chariot wheels. The world was made bright by lightning, and all the earth trembled.


book: Ps
contenido:
and we will tell them to the next generation. We won't keep secret the glorious deeds and the mighty miracles of the LORD.


book: Ps
contenido:
God gave his Law to Jacob's descendants, the people of Israel. And he told our ancestors to teach their children,


book: Ps
contenido:
God made water flow from rocks he split open in the desert, and his people drank freely, as though from a lake.


book: Ps
contenido:
It's true God struck the rock and water gushed out like a river, but can he give his people bread and meat?”


book: Ps
contenido:
Yet God was kind. He kept forgiving their sins and didn't destroy them. He often became angry, but never lost his temper.


book: Ps
contenido:
God remembered that they were made of flesh and were like a wind that blows once and then dies down.


book: Ps
contenido:
God was so angry and furious that he went into a rage and caused them great trouble by sending swarms of destroying angels.


book: Ps
contenido:
There he built his temple as lofty as the mountains and as solid as the earth he made to last forever.


book: Ps
contenido:
They have fed the bodies of your servants to flesh-eating birds; your loyal people are food for savage animals.


book: Ps
contenido:
Don't make us pay for the sins of our ancestors. Have pity and come quickly! We are completely helpless.


book: Ps
contenido:
Why should nations ask us, “Where is your God?” Let us and the other nations see you take revenge for your servants who died a violent death.


book: Ps
contenido:
Then we, your people, will always thank you. We are like sheep with you as our shepherd, and all generations will hear us praise you.


book: Ps
contenido:
Shepherd of Israel, you lead the descendants of Joseph, and you sit on your throne above the winged creatures. Listen to our prayer and let your light shine


book: Ps
contenido:
We were like a grapevine you brought out of Egypt. You chased other nations away and planted us here.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our Lord, why have you torn down the wall from around the vineyard? You let everyone who walks by pick the grapes.


book: Ps
contenido:
The descendants of Joseph were told to obey it, when God led them out from the land of Egypt. In a voice unknown to me, I heard someone say:


book: Ps
contenido:
When you were in trouble, I rescued you, and from the thunderclouds, I answered your prayers. Later I tested you at Meribah Spring.


book: Ps
contenido:
“None of you know or understand a thing. You live in darkness, while the foundations of the earth tremble.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our Lord, punish all of them as you punished Midian. Destroy them, as you destroyed Sisera and Jabin at Kishon Creek


book: Ps
contenido:
LORD God All-Powerful, my King and my God, sparrows find a home near your altars; swallows build nests there to raise their young.


book: Ps
contenido:
When they reach Dry Valley, springs start flowing, and the autumn rain fills it with pools of water.


book: Ps
contenido:
One day in your temple is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather serve in your house, than live in the homes of the wicked.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right.


book: Ps
contenido:
I will listen to you, LORD God, because you promise peace to those who are faithful and no longer foolish.


book: Ps
contenido:
But you, the Lord God, are kind and merciful. You don't easily get angry, and your love can always be trusted.


book: Ps
contenido:
I serve you, LORD, and I am the child of one of your servants. Look on me with kindness. Make me strong and save me.


book: Ps
contenido:
Show that you approve of me! Then my hateful enemies will feel like fools, because you have helped and comforted me.


book: Ps
contenido:
Egypt, Babylonia, Philistia, Phoenicia, and Ethiopia are some of those nations that know you, and their people all say, “I was born in Zion.”


book: Ps
contenido:
Ever since I was a child, I have been sick and close to death. You have terrified me and made me helpless.


book: Ps
contenido:
My friends and neighbors have turned against me because of you, and now darkness is my only companion.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, I will sing of your love forever. Everyone yet to be born will hear me praise your faithfulness.


book: Ps
contenido:
I will tell them, “God's love can always be trusted, and his faithfulness lasts as long as the heavens.”


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, let the heavens now praise your miracles, and let all your angels praise your faithfulness.


book: Ps
contenido:
The heavens and the earth belong to you. And so does the world with all its people because you created them


book: Ps
contenido:
In a vision, you once said to your faithful followers: “I have helped a mighty hero. I chose him from my people and made him famous.


book: Ps
contenido:
You have always been God— long before the birth of the mountains, even before you created the earth and the world.


book: Ps
contenido:
but a thousand years mean nothing to you! They are merely a day gone by or a few hours in the night.


book: Ps
contenido:
We can expect seventy years, or maybe eighty, if we are healthy, but even our best years bring trouble and sorrow. Suddenly our time is up, and we disappear.


book: Ps
contenido:
No one knows the full power of your furious anger, but it is as great as the fear that we owe to you.


book: Ps
contenido:
When morning comes, let your love satisfy all our needs. Then we can celebrate and be glad for what time we have left.


book: Ps
contenido:
Then you will say to the LORD, “You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.”


book: Ps
contenido:
He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, you are King! Majesty and power are your royal robes. You put the world in place, and it will never be moved.


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD is our God, and we are his people, the sheep he takes care of in his own pasture. Listen to God's voice today!


book: Ps
contenido:
Then God got tired of them and said, “You never show good sense, and you don't understand what I want you to do.”


book: Ps
contenido:
Announce to the nations, “The LORD is King! The world stands firm, never to be shaken, and he will judge its people with fairness.”


book: Ps
contenido:
Tell the heavens and the earth to be glad and celebrate! Command the ocean to roar with all its creatures


book: Ps
contenido:
and the fields to rejoice with all their crops. Then every tree in the forest will sing joyful songs


book: Ps
contenido:
Those who brag about the useless idols they worship are terribly ashamed, and all the false gods bow down to the LORD.


book: Ps
contenido:
When the people of Zion and of the towns of Judah hear that God brings justice, they will celebrate.


book: Ps
contenido:
Sing a new song to the LORD! He has worked miracles, and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory.


book: Ps
contenido:
Let them worship the LORD! He is coming to judge everyone on the earth, and he will be honest and fair.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, you are King! You rule from your throne above the winged creatures, as people tremble and the earth shakes.


book: Ps
contenido:
Moses and Aaron were two of your priests. Samuel was also one of those who prayed in your name, and you, our LORD, answered their prayers.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD and our God, you answered their prayers and forgave their sins, but when they did wrong, you punished them.


book: Ps
contenido:
You know the LORD is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture.


book: Ps
contenido:
I will find trustworthy people to serve as my advisors; only an honest person will serve as an official.


book: Ps
contenido:
They will all disappear and wear out like clothes. You change them, as you would a coat, but you last forever.


book: Ps
contenido:
How great is God's love for all who worship him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth!


book: Ps
contenido:
All of God's creation and all that he rules, come and praise your LORD! With all my heart I praise the LORD!


book: Ps
contenido:
and you built your home over the mighty ocean. The clouds are your chariot with the wind as its wings.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, by your wisdom you made so many things; the whole earth is covered with your living creatures.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, we pray that your glory will last forever and that you will be pleased with what you have done.


book: Ps
contenido:
Destroy all wicked sinners from the earth once and for all. With all my heart I praise you, LORD! I praise you!


book: Ps
contenido:
You belong to the family of Abraham, his servant; you are his chosen ones, the descendants of Jacob.


book: Ps
contenido:
Let me prosper with the rest of your chosen ones, as they celebrate with pride because they belong to you.


book: Ps
contenido:
When they were in Egypt, they paid no attention to your marvelous deeds or your wonderful love. And they turned against you at the Red Sea.


book: Ps
contenido:
and to the gods of Canaan. Then they poured out the blood of these innocent children and made the land filthy.


book: Ps
contenido:
but you saved them time after time. They were determined to rebel, and their sins caused their downfall.


book: Ps
contenido:
Save us, LORD God! Bring us back from among the nations. Let us celebrate and shout in praise of your holy name.


book: Ps
contenido:
LORD God of Israel, you deserve to be praised forever and ever. Let everyone say, “Amen! Shout praises to the LORD!”


book: Ps
contenido:
To everyone who is thirsty, he gives something to drink; to everyone who is hungry, he gives good things to eat.


book: Ps
contenido:
You were tossed to the sky and to the ocean depths, until things looked so bad that you lost your courage.


book: Ps
contenido:
But the LORD will take revenge on those who conquer you, and he will make them wander across desert sands.


book: Ps
contenido:
When you are suffering and in need, he will come to your rescue, and your families will grow as fast as a herd of sheep.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our God, I am faithful to you with all my heart, and you can trust me. I will sing and play music for you with all that I am.


book: Ps
contenido:
Answer my prayers and use your powerful arm to give us victory. Then the people you love will be safe.


book: Ps
contenido:
Our God, from your holy place you made this promise: “I will gladly divide up the city of Shechem and give away Succoth Valley piece by piece.


book: Ps
contenido:
The lands of Gilead and Manasseh are mine. Ephraim is my war helmet, and Judah is my symbol of royal power.


book: Ps
contenido:
“He cursed others. Now place a curse on him! He never wished others well. Wish only trouble for him!


book: Ps
contenido:
He cursed others more often than he dressed himself. Let his curses strike him deep, just as water and olive oil soak through to our bones.


book: Ps
contenido:
I don't care if they curse me, as long as you bless me. You will make my enemies fail when they attack, and you will make me glad to be your servant.


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at my right side, until I make your enemies into a footstool for you.”


book: Ps
contenido:
Your glorious power will be seen on the day you begin to rule. You will wear the sacred robes and shine like the morning sun in all of your strength.


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD has made a promise that will never be broken: “You will be a priest forever, just like Melchizedek.”


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD has done many wonderful things! Everyone who is pleased with God's marvelous deeds will keep them in mind.


book: Ps
contenido:
Respect and obey the LORD! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected.


book: Ps
contenido:
Shout praises to the LORD! The LORD blesses everyone who worships him and gladly obeys his teachings.


book: Ps
contenido:
They will be so kind and merciful and good, that they will be a light in the dark for others who do the right thing.


book: Ps
contenido:
They will always be remembered and greatly praised, because they were kind and freely gave to the poor.


book: Ps
contenido:
When evil people see this, they angrily bite their tongues and disappear. They will never get what they really want.


book: Ps
contenido:
We don't deserve praise! The LORD alone deserves all of the praise, because of his love and faithfulness.


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD will not forget to give us his blessing; he will bless all of Israel and the family of Aaron.


book: Ps
contenido:
Death attacked from all sides, and I was captured by its painful chains. But when I was really hurting,


book: Ps
contenido:
They swarmed around like bees, but by the power of the LORD, I got rid of them and their fiery sting.


book: Ps
contenido:
God bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD! We praise you from here in the house of the LORD.


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD is our God, and he has given us light! Start the celebration! March with palm branches all the way to the altar.


book: Ps
contenido:
Put down those proud people who hurt me with their lies, because I have chosen to study your teachings.


book: Ps
contenido:
I am your servant, but I have wandered away like a lost sheep. Please come after me, because I have not forgotten your teachings.


book: Ps
contenido:
Just as Jerusalem is protected by mountains on every side, the LORD protects his people by holding them in his arms now and forever.


book: Ps
contenido:
When the LORD punishes the wicked, he will punish everyone else who lives an evil life. Pray for peace in Israel!


book: Ps
contenido:
We celebrated with laughter and joyful songs. In foreign nations it was said, “The LORD has worked miracles for his people.”


book: Ps
contenido:
It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep.


book: Ps
contenido:
Having a lot of children to take care of you in your old age is like a warrior with a lot of arrows.


book: Ps
contenido:
The more you have, the better off you will be, because they will protect you when your enemies attack you in court.


book: Ps
contenido:
Your wife will be as fruitful as a grapevine, and just as an olive tree is rich with olives, your home will be rich with healthy children.


book: Ps
contenido:
And don't let anyone who passes by say to them, “The LORD bless you! I give you my blessing in the name of the LORD.”


book: Ps
contenido:
I wait for you more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn. Yes, I wait more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn.


book: Ps
contenido:
You made a solemn promise to David, when you said, “I, the LORD, promise that someone in your family will always be king.


book: Ps
contenido:
It is as beautiful as olive oil poured on Aaron's head and running down his beard and the collar of his robe.


book: Ps
contenido:
It is like the dew from Mount Hermon, falling on Zion's mountains, where the LORD has promised to bless his people with life forevermore.


book: Ps
contenido:
Everyone who serves the LORD, come and offer praises. Everyone who has gathered in his temple tonight,


book: Ps
contenido:
The LORD makes the clouds rise from far across the earth, and he makes lightning to go with the rain. Then from his secret place he sends out the wind.


book: Ps
contenido:
including King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan. He conquered every kingdom in the land of Canaan


book: Ps
contenido:
Our enemies had brought us here as their prisoners; now they wanted us to sing and entertain them. They insulted us and shouted, “Sing about Zion!”


book: Ps
contenido:
Our LORD, punish the Edomites! On the day Jerusalem fell, they shouted, “Completely destroy the city! Tear down every building!”


book: Ps
contenido:
Babylon, you are doomed! I pray the Lord's blessings on anyone who punishes you for what you did to us.


book: Ps
contenido:
I worship at your holy temple and praise you for your love and your faithfulness. You were true to your word and made yourself more famous than ever before.


book: Ps
contenido:
Though you are above us all, you care for humble people, and you keep a close watch on everyone who is proud.


book: Ps
contenido:
I am surrounded by trouble, but you protect me against my angry enemies. With your own powerful arm you keep me safe.


book: Ps
contenido:
You, LORD, will always treat me with kindness. Your love never fails. You have made us what we are. Don't give up on us now!


book: Ps
contenido:
If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there.


book: Ps
contenido:
and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.


book: Ps
contenido:
but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything about me.


book: Ps
contenido:
I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.


book: Ps
contenido:
Don't let me want to do evil or waste my time doing wrong with wicked people. Don't let me even taste the good things they offer.


book: Ps
contenido:
Let your faithful people correct and punish me. My prayers condemn the deeds of those who do wrong, so don't let me be friends with any of them.


book: Ps
contenido:
Even if you look, you won't see anyone who cares enough to walk beside me. There is no place to hide, and no one who really cares.


book: Ps
contenido:
I pray to you, LORD! You are my place of safety, and you are my choice in the land of the living. Please answer my prayer. I am completely helpless.


book: Ps
contenido:
Rescue me from this prison, so I can praise your name. And when your people notice your wonderful kindness to me, they will rush to my side.


book: Ps
contenido:
My enemies are chasing me, crushing me in the ground. I am in total darkness, like someone long dead.


book: Ps
contenido:
Please hurry, LORD, and answer my prayer. I feel hopeless. Don't turn away and leave me here to die.


book: Ps
contenido:
Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.


book: Ps
contenido:
Be true to your name, LORD, and keep my life safe. Use your saving power to protect me from trouble.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are my friend, my fortress, where I am safe. You are my shield, and you made me the ruler of our people.


book: Ps
contenido:
Open the heavens like a curtain and come down, LORD. Touch the mountains and make them send up smoke.


book: Ps
contenido:
Let's pray that our young sons will grow like strong plants and that our daughters will be as lovely as columns in the corner of a palace.


book: Ps
contenido:
May our barns be filled with all kinds of crops. May our fields be covered with sheep by the thousands,


book: Ps
contenido:
and every cow have calves. Don't let our city be captured or any of us be taken away, and don't let cries of sorrow be heard in our streets.


book: Ps
contenido:
You are wonderful, LORD, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand.


book: Ps
contenido:
Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. Our LORD, you keep your word and do everything you say.


book: Ps
contenido:
He fills the sky with clouds and sends rain to the earth, so that the hills will be green with grass.


book: Ps
contenido:
He covers the ground with snow like a blanket of wool, and he scatters frost like ashes on the ground.


book: Ps
contenido:
Sea monsters and the deep sea, fire and hail, snow and frost, and every stormy wind, come praise the LORD!


book: Ps
contenido:
All creation, come praise the name of the LORD. Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth.


book: Ps
contenido:
Like a bull with mighty horns, the LORD protects his faithful nation Israel, because they belong to him. Shout praises to the LORD!


book: Ps
contenido:
Punish them as they deserve; this is the privilege of God's faithful people. Shout praises to the LORD!


book: Prov
contenido:
From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart, and young people can gain knowledge and good sense.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you are already wise, you will become even wiser. And if you are smart, you will learn to understand


book: Prov
contenido:
Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of knowledge. Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.


book: Prov
contenido:
“How much longer will you enjoy being stupid fools? Won't you ever stop sneering and laughing at knowledge?


book: Prov
contenido:
“Now you will eat the fruit of what you have done, until you are stuffed full with your own schemes.


book: Prov
contenido:
He places a curse on the home of everyone who is evil, but he blesses the home of every good person.


book: Prov
contenido:
The lifestyle of good people is like sunlight at dawn that keeps getting brighter until broad daylight.


book: Prov
contenido:
The lifestyle of the wicked is like total darkness, and they will never know what makes them stumble.


book: Prov
contenido:
She is beautiful and graceful, just like a deer; you should be attracted to her and stay deeply in love.


book: Prov
contenido:
and you are now in the power of someone else. Here is what you should do: Go and beg for permission to call off the agreement.


book: Prov
contenido:
Their teaching will guide you when you walk, protect you when you sleep, and talk to you when you are awake.


book: Prov
contenido:
The Law of the Lord is a lamp, and its teachings shine brightly. Correction and self-control will lead you through life.


book: Prov
contenido:
A woman who sells her love can be bought for as little as the price of a meal. But making love to another man's wife will cost you everything.


book: Prov
contenido:
At once he followed her like an ox on the way to be slaughtered, or like a fool on the way to be punished


book: Prov
contenido:
and killed with arrows. He was no more than a bird rushing into a trap, without knowing it would cost him his life.


book: Prov
contenido:
I was there when the LORD put the heavens in place and stretched the sky over the surface of the sea.


book: Prov
contenido:
I was there when he set boundaries for the sea to make it obey him, and when he laid foundations to support the earth.


book: Prov
contenido:
I was right beside the LORD, helping him plan and build. I made him happy each day, and I was happy at his side.


book: Prov
contenido:
Any bragger you correct will only hate you. But if you correct someone who has common sense, you will be loved.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you have good sense, instruction will help you to have even better sense. And if you live right, education will help you to know even more.


book: Prov
contenido:
Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God.


book: Prov
contenido:
Here are some proverbs of Solomon: Children with good sense make their parents happy, but foolish children make them sad.


book: Prov
contenido:
What you gain by doing evil won't help you at all. Obeying God is the only way to be saved from death.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you have good sense, you will listen and obey; if all you do is talk foolishly, you will destroy yourself.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you have good sense, it will show when you speak. But if you are stupid, you will be beaten with a stick.


book: Prov
contenido:
The words of a good person are like pure silver, but the thoughts of an evil person are almost worthless.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you respect the LORD, you will live longer; if you keep doing wrong, your life will be cut short.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you obey the Lord, you will always know the right thing to say. But no one will trust you if you tell lies.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you do the right thing, honesty will be your guide. But if you are crooked, you will be trapped by your own dishonesty.


book: Prov
contenido:
Dishonest people use gossip to destroy their neighbors; good people are protected by their own good sense.


book: Prov
contenido:
Charge too much for grain, and you will be cursed; sell it at a fair price, and you will be praised.


book: Prov
contenido:
Fools who cause trouble in the family won't inherit a thing. They will end up as slaves of someone with good sense.


book: Prov
contenido:
Once the wicked are defeated, they are gone forever, but no one who obeys God will ever be thrown down.


book: Prov
contenido:
It's better to be ordinary and have only one servant than to think you are somebody and starve to death.


book: Prov
contenido:
Children with good sense accept correction from their parents, but stubborn children ignore it completely.


book: Prov
contenido:
You will be well rewarded for saying something kind, but all some people think about is how to be cruel and mean.


book: Prov
contenido:
No matter how much you want, laziness won't help a bit, but hard work will reward you with more than enough.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you reject God's teaching, you will pay the price; if you obey his commands, you will be rewarded.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you obey God, you will have something to leave your grandchildren. If you don't obey God, those who live right will get what you leave.


book: Prov
contenido:
By living right, you show that you respect the LORD; by being deceitful, you show that you despise him.


book: Prov
contenido:
Make fun of wisdom, and you will never find it. But if you have understanding, knowledge comes easily.


book: Prov
contenido:
Those who sneer at others don't like to be corrected, and they won't ask help from someone with sense.


book: Prov
contenido:
Stupidity brings happiness to senseless fools, but everyone with good sense follows the straight path.


book: Prov
contenido:
The LORD never even hears the prayers of the wicked, but he answers the prayers of all who obey him.


book: Prov
contenido:
If we truly love God, our sins will be forgiven; if we show him respect, we will keep away from sin.


book: Prov
contenido:
A wise slave will be placed in charge of a no-good child, and that slave will be given the same inheritance that each child receives.


book: Prov
contenido:
By insulting the poor, you insult your Creator. You will be punished if you make fun of someone in trouble.


book: Prov
contenido:
You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you are poor, your own relatives reject you, and your friends are worse. When you really need them, they are not there.


book: Prov
contenido:
Foolish children bring disgrace to their fathers. A nagging wife goes on and on like the drip, drip, drip of the rain.


book: Prov
contenido:
Stupid fools learn good sense by seeing others punished; a sensible person learns by being corrected.


book: Prov
contenido:
You deserve to lose your coat if you loan it to someone to guarantee payment for the debt of a stranger.


book: Prov
contenido:
Rulers are protected by God's mercy and loyalty, but they must be merciful for their kingdoms to last.


book: Prov
contenido:
The LORD watches over everyone who shows good sense, but he frustrates the plans of deceitful liars.


book: Prov
contenido:
People like that take note of how much you eat. They say, “Take all you want!” But they don't mean it.


book: Prov
contenido:
You will be bruised all over, without even remembering how it all happened. And you will lie awake asking, “When will morning come, so I can drink some more?”


book: Prov
contenido:
Don't say, “I didn't know it!” God can read your mind. He watches each of us and knows our thoughts. And God will pay us back for what we do.


book: Prov
contenido:
Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up. But when trouble strikes the wicked, that's the end of them.


book: Prov
contenido:
My children, you must respect the LORD and the king, and you must not make friends with anyone who rebels against either of them.


book: Prov
contenido:
Here are some more of Solomon's proverbs. They were copied by the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah.


book: Prov
contenido:
Who can fully understand the thoughts of a ruler? They reach beyond the sky and go deep in the earth.


book: Prov
contenido:
It's better for the ruler to give you a high position than for you to be embarrassed in front of royal officials. Be sure you are right


book: Prov
contenido:
If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink.


book: Prov
contenido:
A thornbush waved around in the hand of a drunkard is no worse than a proverb in the mouth of a fool.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you have had enough to eat, honey doesn't taste good, but if you are really hungry, you will eat anything.


book: Prov
contenido:
Don't desert an old friend of your family or visit your relatives when you are in trouble. A friend nearby is better than relatives far away.


book: Prov
contenido:
It makes good sense to obey the Law of God, but you disgrace your parents if you make friends with worthless nobodies.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you make money by charging high interest rates, you will lose it all to someone who cares for the poor.


book: Prov
contenido:
By leading good people to sin, you dig a pit for yourself, but all who live right will have a bright future.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you don't confess your sins, you will be a failure. But God will be merciful if you confess your sins and give them up.


book: Prov
contenido:
The LORD blesses everyone who is afraid to do evil, but if you are cruel, you will end up in trouble.


book: Prov
contenido:
A heartless leader is a fool, but anyone who refuses to get rich by cheating others will live a long time.


book: Prov
contenido:
Giving to the poor will keep you from poverty, but if you close your eyes to their needs, everyone will curse you.


book: Prov
contenido:
When crooks are in control, everyone tries to hide, but when they lose power, good people are everywhere.


book: Prov
contenido:
Sneering at others is a spark that sets a city on fire; using good sense can put out the flames of anger.


book: Prov
contenido:
Be wise and don't sue a fool. You won't get satisfaction, because all the fool will do is sneer and shout.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you take part in a crime you are your worst enemy, because even under oath you can't tell the truth.


book: Prov
contenido:
These are the sayings and the message of Agur son of Jakeh. Someone cries out to God, “I am completely worn out! How can I last?


book: Prov
contenido:
Has anyone gone up to heaven and come back down? Has anyone grabbed hold of the wind? Has anyone wrapped up the sea or marked out boundaries for the earth? If you know of any who have done such things, then tell me their names and their children's names.


book: Prov
contenido:
If I have too much to eat, I might forget about you; if I don't have enough, I might steal and disgrace your name.


book: Prov
contenido:
Don't tell a slave owner something bad about one of the slaves. That slave will curse you, and you will be in trouble.


book: Prov
contenido:
Don't make fun of your father or disobey your mother— crows will peck out your eyes, and buzzards will eat the rest of you.


book: Prov
contenido:
If you churn milk you get butter; if you pound on your nose, you get blood— and if you stay angry, you get in trouble.


book: Prov
contenido:
Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the LORD deserves to be praised.


book: Eccl
contenido:
All rivers empty into the sea, but it never spills over; one by one the rivers return to their source.


book: Eccl
contenido:
All of life is far more boring than words could ever say. Our eyes and our ears are never satisfied with what we see and hear.


book: Eccl
contenido:
No one who lived in the past is remembered anymore, and everyone yet to be born will be forgotten too.


book: Eccl
contenido:
With all my wisdom I tried to understand everything that happens here on earth. And God has made this so hard for us humans to do.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I said to myself, “You are by far the wisest person who has ever lived in Jerusalem. You are eager to learn, and you have learned a lot.”


book: Eccl
contenido:
Then I decided to find out all I could about wisdom and foolishness. Soon I realized that this too was as senseless as chasing the wind.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I wanted to find out what was best for us during the short time we have on this earth. So I decided to make myself happy with wine and find out what it means to be foolish, without really being foolish myself.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I owned slaves, and their sons and daughters became my slaves. I had more sheep and goats than anyone who had ever lived in Jerusalem.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Foreign rulers brought me silver, gold, and precious treasures. Men and women sang for me, and I had many wives who gave me great pleasure.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Then I thought about everything I had done, including the hard work, and it was simply chasing the wind. Nothing on earth is worth the trouble.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I asked myself, “What can the next king do that I haven't done?” Then I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and stupidity.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Wisdom is like having two good eyes; foolishness leaves you in the dark. But wise or foolish, we all end up the same.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Finally, I said to myself, “Being wise got me nowhere! The same thing will happen to me that happens to fools. Nothing makes sense.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Suddenly I realized that others would someday get everything I had worked for so hard, then I started hating it all.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Who knows if those people will be sensible or stupid? Either way, they will own everything I have earned by hard work and wisdom. It doesn't make sense.


book: Eccl
contenido:
When we use our wisdom, knowledge, and skill to get what we own, why do we have to leave it to someone who didn't work for it? This is senseless and wrong.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Our bodies ache during the day, and work is torture. Then at night our thoughts are troubled. It just doesn't make sense.


book: Eccl
contenido:
The best thing we can do is to enjoy eating, drinking, and working. I believe these are God's gifts to us,


book: Eccl
contenido:
If we please God, he will make us wise, understanding, and happy. But if we sin, God will make us struggle for a living, then he will give all we own to someone who pleases him. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind.


book: Eccl
contenido:
God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Everything God has done will last forever; nothing he does can ever be changed. God has done all this, so that we will worship him.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Everything that happens has happened before, and all that will be has already been— God does everything over and over again.


book: Eccl
contenido:
So I told myself that God has set a time and a place for everything. He will judge everyone, both the wicked and the good.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Like animals we breathe and die, and we are no better off than they are. It just doesn't make sense.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I looked again and saw people being mistreated everywhere on earth. They were crying, but no one was there to offer comfort, and those who mistreated them were powerful.


book: Eccl
contenido:
But those who have never been born are better off than anyone else, because they have never seen the terrible things that happen on this earth.”


book: Eccl
contenido:
Then I realized that we work and do wonderful things just because we are jealous of others. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Yet a very little food eaten in peace is better than twice as much earned from overwork and chasing the wind.


book: Eccl
contenido:
For example, some people don't have friends or family. But they are never satisfied with what they own, and they never stop working to get more. They should ask themselves, “Why am I always working to have more? Who will get what I leave behind?” What a senseless and miserable life!


book: Eccl
contenido:
You are better having a friend than to be all alone, because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn.


book: Eccl
contenido:
If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Someone might be able to beat up one of you, but not both of you. As the saying goes, “A rope made from three strands of cord is hard to break.”


book: Eccl
contenido:
You may be poor and young, but if you are wise, you are better off than a foolish old king who won't listen to advice.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Even if you were not born into the royal family and have been a prisoner and poor, you can still be king.


book: Eccl
contenido:
His followers could not even be counted. But years from now, no one will praise him—this makes no more sense than chasing the wind.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Be careful what you do when you enter the house of God. Fools go there to offer sacrifices, because all they do is sin. But it's best just to listen when you go to worship.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Don't talk before you think or make promises to God without thinking them through. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so don't talk too much.


book: Eccl
contenido:
If you keep thinking about something, you will dream about it. If you talk too much, you will say the wrong thing.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Don't let your mouth get you in trouble! And don't say to the worship leader, “I didn't mean what I said.” God can destroy everything you have worked for, so don't say something that makes God angry.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Don't be surprised if the poor of your country are abused, and injustice takes the place of justice. After all, the lower officials must do what the higher ones order them to do.


book: Eccl
contenido:
If you love money and wealth, you will never be satisfied with what you have. This doesn't make a bit of sense.


book: Eccl
contenido:
The more you have, the more everyone expects from you. Your money won't do you any good—others will just spend it for you.


book: Eccl
contenido:
If you have to work hard for a living, you can rest well at night, even if you don't have much to eat. But if you are rich, you can't even sleep.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Suddenly they lose everything in a bad business deal, then have nothing to leave for their children.


book: Eccl
contenido:
They came into this world naked, and when they die, they will be just as naked. They can't take anything with them, and they won't have anything to show for all their work.


book: Eccl
contenido:
That's terribly unfair. They leave the world just as they came. They gained nothing from running after the wind.


book: Eccl
contenido:
What is the best thing to do in the short life God has given us? I think we should enjoy eating, drinking, and working hard. This is what God intends for us to do.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Suppose you are very rich and able to enjoy everything you own. Then go ahead and enjoy working hard—this is God's gift to you.


book: Eccl
contenido:
God may give you everything you want—money, property, and wealth. Then God doesn't let you enjoy it, and someone you don't even know gets it all. That's senseless and terribly unfair!


book: Eccl
contenido:
You may live a long time and have a hundred children. But a child born dead is better off than you, unless you enjoy life and have a decent burial.


book: Eccl
contenido:
That child will never live to see the sun or to have a name, and it will go straight to the world of darkness. But it will still find more rest than you,


book: Eccl
contenido:
even if you live two thousand years and don't enjoy life. As you know, we all end up in the same place.


book: Eccl
contenido:
We may be sensible, yet we are no better off than a fool. And if we are poor, it still doesn't do us any good to try to live right.


book: Eccl
contenido:
It's better to enjoy what we have than to always want something else, because that makes no more sense than chasing the wind.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Everything that happens was decided long ago. We humans know what we are like, and we can't argue with God, because he is too strong for us.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Life is short and meaningless, and it fades away like a shadow. Who knows what is best for us? Who knows what will happen after we are gone?


book: Eccl
contenido:
When times are good, you should be cheerful; when times are bad, think about what it means. God makes them both to keep us from knowing what will happen next.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I have seen everything during this senseless life of mine. I have seen good citizens die for doing the right thing, while criminals live and prosper.


book: Eccl
contenido:
So I decided to learn everything I could and become wise enough to discover what life is all about. At the same time, I wanted to understand why it's stupid and senseless to be an evil fool.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Here is what I discovered: A bad woman is worse than death. She is a trap, reaching out with body and soul to catch you. But if you obey God, you can escape. If you don't obey, you are done for.


book: Eccl
contenido:
but so far I have not been able to. I do know there is one good man in a thousand, but never have I found a good woman.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I did learn one thing: We were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds.


book: Eccl
contenido:
If you obey the king, you will stay out of trouble. So be wise and learn what to do and when to do it.


book: Eccl
contenido:
We cannot control the wind or determine the day of our death. There is no escape in time of war, and no one can hide behind evil.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I noticed all this and thought seriously about what goes on in the world. Why does one person have the power to hurt another?


book: Eccl
contenido:
I saw the wicked buried with honor, but God's people had to leave the holy city and were forgotten. None of this makes sense.


book: Eccl
contenido:
When we see criminals commit crime after crime without being punished, it makes us want to start a life of crime.


book: Eccl
contenido:
They commit hundreds of crimes and live a long time, in spite of the saying: Everyone who lives right and respects God will prosper,


book: Eccl
contenido:
There is something else that doesn't make sense to me. Good citizens are treated as criminals, while criminals are honored as though they were good citizens.


book: Eccl
contenido:
So I think we should get as much out of life as we possibly can. There is nothing better than to enjoy our food and drink and have a good time. Then we can make it through this troublesome life that God has given us here on earth.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I saw everything God does, and I realized no one can really understand what happens. We may be very wise, but no matter how much we try or how much we claim to know, we cannot understand it all.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I thought about these things. Then I understood that God has power over everyone, even those who are wise and live right. Anything can happen to any one of us, and so we never know if life will be good or bad.


book: Eccl
contenido:
But exactly the same thing will finally happen to all of us, whether we live right and respect God or sin and don't respect God. Yes, the same thing will happen if we offer sacrifices to God or if we don't, if we keep our promises or are afraid to make them.


book: Eccl
contenido:
It's terribly unfair for the same thing to happen to each of us. We are mean and foolish while we live, and then we die.


book: Eccl
contenido:
We know we will die, but the dead don't know a thing. Nothing good will happen to them—they are gone and forgotten.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Their loves, their hates, and their jealous feelings have all disappeared with them. They will never again take part in anything that happens on this earth.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Life is short, and you love your wife, so enjoy being with her. This is what you are supposed to do as you struggle through life on this earth.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Work hard at whatever you do. You will soon go to the world of the dead, where no one works or thinks or reasons or even knows anything.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Here is something else I have learned: The fastest runners and the greatest heroes don't always win races and battles. Wisdom, intelligence, and skill don't always make you healthy, rich, or popular. We each have our own share of misfortune.


book: Eccl
contenido:
None of us know when we might fall victim to a sudden disaster and find ourselves like fish in a net or birds in a trap.


book: Eccl
contenido:
It happened when a powerful ruler surrounded and attacked a small city where only a few people lived. The enemy army was getting ready to break through the city walls.


book: Eccl
contenido:
So I decided that wisdom is better than strength. Yet if you are poor, no one pays any attention to you, no matter how smart you are.


book: Eccl
contenido:
A few dead flies in perfume make all of it stink, and a little foolishness outweighs a lot of wisdom.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Don't let yourself think about cursing the king; don't curse the rich, not even in secret. A little bird might hear and tell everything.


book: Eccl
contenido:
No one can explain how a baby breathes before it is born. So how can anyone explain what God does? After all, God created everything.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Plant your seeds early in the morning and keep working in the field until dark. Who knows? Your work might pay off, and your seeds might produce.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Even if you have a very long life, you should try to enjoy each day, because darkness will come and will last a long time. Nothing makes sense.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Be cheerful and enjoy life while you are young! Do what you want and find pleasure in what you see. But don't forget that God will judge you for everything you do.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, “I don't enjoy life anymore.”


book: Eccl
contenido:
Someday the light of the sun and the moon and the stars will all seem dim to you. Rain clouds will remain over your head.


book: Eccl
contenido:
The noisy grinding of grain and the voices of singers will be shut out by your deaf ears, but even the song of a bird will keep you awake.


book: Eccl
contenido:
You will be afraid to climb up a hill or walk down a road. Your hair will turn as white as almond blossoms. You will feel lifeless and drag along like an old grasshopper. We each go to our eternal home, and the streets here are filled with those who mourn.


book: Eccl
contenido:
The silver cord snaps, the golden bowl breaks; the water pitcher is smashed, and the pulley at the well is shattered.


book: Eccl
contenido:
I was a wise teacher with much understanding, and I collected a number of proverbs that I had carefully studied.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Words of wisdom are like the stick a farmer uses to make animals move. These sayings come from a shepherd, and they are like nails that fasten things together.


book: Eccl
contenido:
My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these. There is no end to books, and too much study will wear you out.


book: Eccl
contenido:
Everything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about.


book: Song
contenido:
and you smell so sweet. All the young women adore you; the very mention of your name is like spreading perfume. *


book: Song
contenido:
Hurry, my king! Let's hurry. Take me to your home. We are happy for you! And we praise your love even more than wine. Young women of Jerusalem, it is only right that you should adore him.


book: Song
contenido:
Don't stare at me just because the sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they made me work in the vineyard, and so I neglected my complexion.


book: Song
contenido:
My darling, I love you! Where do you feed your sheep and let them rest at noon? Don't let the other shepherds think badly of me. I'm not one of those women who shamelessly follow after shepherds.


book: Song
contenido:
My dearest, if you don't know, just follow the path of the sheep. Then feed your young goats near the shepherds' tents.


book: Song
contenido:
And you, my love, are an apple tree among trees of the forest. Your shade brought me pleasure; your fruit was sweet.


book: Song
contenido:
Young women of Jerusalem, promise me by the power of deer and gazelles never to awaken love before it is ready.


book: Song
contenido:
Fig trees are bearing fruit, while blossoms on grapevines fill the air with perfume. My darling, I love you! Let's go away together.


book: Song
contenido:
You are my dove hiding among the rocks on the side of a cliff. Let me see how lovely you are! Let me hear the sound of your melodious voice.


book: Song
contenido:
While in bed at night, I reached for the one I love with heart and soul. I looked for him, but he wasn't there.


book: Song
contenido:
Right after that, I found him. I held him and would not let go until I had taken him to the home of my mother.


book: Song
contenido:
Young women of Jerusalem, promise me by the power of deer and gazelles, never to awaken love before it is ready.


book: Song
contenido:
What do we see approaching from the desert like a cloud of smoke? With it comes the sweet smell of spices, including myrrh and frankincense.


book: Song
contenido:
Its posts are silver, the back is gold, and the seat is covered with purple cloth. You women of Jerusalem have taken great care to furnish the inside.


book: Song
contenido:
My darling, you are lovely, so very lovely— as you look through your veil, your eyes are those of a dove. Your hair tosses about as gracefully as goats coming down from Gilead.


book: Song
contenido:
Your lips are crimson cords, your mouth is shapely; behind your veil are hidden beautiful rosy cheeks.


book: Song
contenido:
My bride, together we will leave Lebanon! We will say goodbye to the peaks of Mount Amana, Senir, and Hermon, where lions and leopards live in the caves.


book: Song
contenido:
My bride, my very own, you have stolen my heart! With one glance from your eyes and the glow of your necklace, you have stolen my heart.


book: Song
contenido:
Your lips are a honeycomb; milk and honey flow from your tongue. Your dress has the aroma of cedar trees from Lebanon.


book: Song
contenido:
You are a spring in the garden, a fountain of pure water, and a refreshing stream from Mount Lebanon.


book: Song
contenido:
Let the north wind blow, the south wind too! Let them spread the aroma of my garden, so the one I love may enter and taste its delicious fruits.


book: Song
contenido:
My bride, my very own, I come to my garden and enjoy its spices. I eat my honeycomb and honey; I drink my wine and milk. Eat and drink until you are drunk with love.


book: Song
contenido:
I was asleep, but dreaming: The one I love was at the door, knocking and saying, “My darling, my very own, my flawless dove, open the door for me! My head is drenched with evening dew.”


book: Song
contenido:
And I yearned for him while he spoke to me, but when I opened the door, my darling had disappeared. I searched and shouted, but I could not find him— there was no answer.


book: Song
contenido:
Then I was found by the guards patrolling the town and guarding the wall. They beat me up and stripped off my robe.


book: Song
contenido:
Most beautiful of women, why is the one you love more special than others? Why do you ask us to tell him how you feel?


book: Song
contenido:
His legs are columns of marble on feet of gold. He stands there majestic like Mount Lebanon and its choice cedar trees.


book: Song
contenido:
My dearest, the cities of Tirzah and Jerusalem are not as lovely as you. Your charms are more powerful than all of the stars in the heavens.


book: Song
contenido:
Turn away your eyes— they make me melt. Your hair tosses about as gracefully as goats coming down from Gilead.


book: Song
contenido:
You would be my only choice, my flawless dove, the favorite child of your mother. The young women, the queens, and all the others tell how excited you are as they sing your praises:


book: Song
contenido:
“You are as majestic as the morning sky— glorious as the moon— blinding as the sun! Your charms are more powerful than all the stars above.”


book: Song
contenido:
Dance! Dance! Beautiful woman from Shulam, let us see you dance! Why do you want to see this woman from Shulam dancing with the others?


book: Song
contenido:
You are a princess, and your feet are graceful in their sandals. Your thighs are works of art, each one a jewel;


book: Song
contenido:
your navel is a wine glass filled to overflowing. Your body is full and slender like a bundle of wheat bound together by lilies.


book: Song
contenido:
Your neck is like ivory, and your eyes sparkle like the pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath-Rabbim. Your nose is beautiful like Mount Lebanon above the city of Damascus.


book: Song
contenido:
I will climb that tree and cling to its branches. I will discover that your breasts are clusters of grapes, and that your breath is the aroma of apples.


book: Song
contenido:
At dawn let's slip out and see if grapevines and fruit trees are covered with blossoms. When we are there, I will give you my love.


book: Song
contenido:
Perfume from the magic flower fills the air, my darling. Right at our doorstep I have stored up for you all kinds of tasty fruits.


book: Song
contenido:
If you were my brother, I could kiss you whenever we happen to meet, and no one would say I did wrong.


book: Song
contenido:
I could take you to the home of my mother, who taught me all I know. I would give you delicious wine and fruit juice as well.


book: Song
contenido:
Who is this young woman coming in from the desert and leaning on the shoulder of the one she loves? I stirred up your passions under the apple tree where you were born.


book: Song
contenido:
Always keep me in your heart and wear this bracelet to remember me by. The passion of love bursting into flame is more powerful than death, stronger than the grave.


book: Song
contenido:
Love cannot be drowned by oceans or floods. It cannot be bought— any offer would be scorned no matter how great.


book: Song
contenido:
We have a little sister whose breasts are not yet formed. If someone asks to marry her, what should we do?


book: Song
contenido:
She isn't a wall that we can defend behind a silver shield. Neither is she a room that we can protect behind a wooden door.


book: Song
contenido:
Solomon has a vineyard at Baal-Hamon, which he rents to others for a thousand pieces of silver each.


book: Song
contenido:
My vineyard is mine alone! Solomon can keep his silver and the others can keep their share of the profits.


book: Isa
contenido:
I am Isaiah, the son of Amoz. And this is the message that I was given about Judah and Jerusalem when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah:


book: Isa
contenido:
Israel, you are a sinful nation loaded down with guilt. You are wicked and corrupt and have turned from the LORD, the holy God of Israel.


book: Isa
contenido:
Why be punished more? Why not give up your sin? Your head is badly bruised, and you are weak all over.


book: Isa
contenido:
From your head to your toes there isn't a healthy spot. Bruises, cuts, and open sores go without care or oil to ease the pain.


book: Isa
contenido:
Your country lies in ruins; your towns are in ashes. Foreigners and strangers take and destroy your land while you watch.


book: Isa
contenido:
Zion would have disappeared like Sodom and Gomorrah, if the LORD All-Powerful had not let a few of its people survive.


book: Isa
contenido:
“Your sacrifices mean nothing to me. I am sick of your offerings of rams and choice cattle; I don't like the blood of bulls or lambs or goats.


book: Isa
contenido:
Your sacrifices are worthless, and your incense disgusting. I can't stand the evil you do on your New Moon Festivals or on your Sabbaths and other times of worship.


book: Isa
contenido:
I hate your New Moon Festivals and all others as well. They are a heavy burden I am tired of carrying.


book: Isa
contenido:
and learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help the oppressed.”


book: Isa
contenido:
I, the LORD, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool.


book: Isa
contenido:
Jerusalem, you are like an unfaithful wife. Once your judges were honest and your people lived right; now you are a city full of murderers.


book: Isa
contenido:
Your leaders have rejected me to become friends of crooks; your rulers are looking for gifts and bribes. Widows and orphans never get a fair trial.


book: Isa
contenido:
I am the LORD All-Powerful, the mighty ruler of Israel, and I make you a promise: You are now my enemy, and I will show my anger by taking revenge on you.


book: Isa
contenido:
Jerusalem, I will choose judges and advisors like those you had before. Your new name will be “Justice and Faithfulness.”


book: Isa
contenido:
Jerusalem, you will be saved by showing justice; Zion's people who turn to me will be saved by doing right.


book: Isa
contenido:
Your strongest leaders will be like dry wood set on fire by their idols. No one will be able to help, as they all go up in flames.


book: Isa
contenido:
In the future, the mountain with the LORD's temple will be the highest of all. It will reach above the hills; every nation will rush to it.


book: Isa
contenido:
Many people will come and say, “Let's go to the mountain of the LORD God of Jacob and worship in his temple.” The LORD will teach us his Law from Jerusalem, and we will obey him.


book: Isa
contenido:
He will settle arguments between nations. They will pound their swords and their spears into rakes and shovels; they will never make war or attack one another.


book: Isa
contenido:
Our LORD, you have deserted your people, Israel, because they follow customs of nations from the east. They worship Philistine gods and are close friends of foreigners.


book: Isa
contenido:
Every one of you, go hide among the rocks and in the ground, because the LORD is fearsome, marvelous, and glorious.


book: Isa
contenido:
You had better hide in caves and holes— the LORD will be fearsome, marvelous, and glorious when he comes to terrify people on earth.


book: Isa
contenido:
On that day everyone will throw to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold they made to worship.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD will be fearsome, marvelous, and glorious when he comes to terrify people on earth— they will hide in caves and in the hills.


book: Isa
contenido:
The mighty LORD All-Powerful is going to take away from Jerusalem and Judah everything you need— your bread and water, *


book: Isa
contenido:
You will each be cruel to friends and neighbors. Young people will insult their elders; no one will show respect to those who deserve it.


book: Isa
contenido:
Some of you will grab hold of a relative and say, “You still have a coat. Be our leader and rule this pile of ruins.”


book: Isa
contenido:
But the answer will be, “I can't do you any good. Don't make me your leader. There's no food or clothing left in my house.”


book: Isa
contenido:
Jerusalem and Judah, you rebelled against your glorious LORD— your words and your actions, made you stumble and fall.


book: Isa
contenido:
The look on your faces shows that you are sinful as Sodom, and you don't try to hide it. You are in for trouble, and you have brought it all on yourselves.


book: Isa
contenido:
Though you are God's people, you are ruled and abused by women and children. You are confused by leaders who guide you down the wrong path.


book: Isa
contenido:
He will even judge you rulers and leaders of his own nation. You destroyed his vineyard and filled your houses by robbing the poor.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD All-Powerful says, “You have crushed my people and rubbed in the dirt the faces of the poor.”


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD says: The women of Jerusalem are proud and strut around, winking shamelessly. They wear anklets that jingle and call attention to the way they walk.


book: Isa
contenido:
When that day comes, I will take away from those women all the fine jewelry they wear on their ankles, heads, necks, ears, arms, noses, fingers, and on their clothes. I will remove their veils, their belts, their perfume, their magic charms, their royal robes, and all their fancy dresses, hats, and purses.


book: Isa
contenido:
In place of perfume, there will be a stink; in place of belts, there will be ropes; in place of fancy hairdos, they will have bald heads. Instead of expensive clothes, they will wear sackcloth; instead of beauty, they will have ugly scars.


book: Isa
contenido:
When this happens, seven women will grab the same man, and each of them will say, “I'll buy my own food and clothes! Just marry me and take away my disgrace.”


book: Isa
contenido:
The time is coming when the LORD will make his land fruitful and glorious again, and the people of Israel who survive will take great pride in what the land produces.


book: Isa
contenido:
Then the LORD will cover the whole city and its meeting places with a thick cloud each day and with a flaming fire each night. God's own glory will be like a huge tent that covers everything.


book: Isa
contenido:
It will provide shade from the heat of the sun and a place of shelter and protection from storms and rain.


book: Isa
contenido:
My friend dug the ground, removed the stones, and planted the best vines. He built a watchtower and dug a pit in rocky ground for pressing the grapes. He hoped they would be sweet, but bitter grapes were all it produced.


book: Isa
contenido:
What more could I have done for my vineyard? I hoped for sweet grapes, but bitter grapes were all that grew.


book: Isa
contenido:
Now I will let you know what I am going to do. I will cut down the hedge and tear down the wall. My vineyard will be trampled and left in ruins.


book: Isa
contenido:
It will turn into a desert, neither pruned nor hoed; it will be covered with thorns and briars. I will command the clouds not to send rain.


book: Isa
contenido:
I am the LORD All-Powerful! Israel is the vineyard, and Judah is the garden I tended with care. I had hoped for honesty and for justice, but dishonesty and cries for mercy were all I found.


book: Isa
contenido:
You are in for trouble! You take over house after house and field after field, until there is no room left for anyone else in all the land.


book: Isa
contenido:
But the LORD All-Powerful has made this promise to me: Those large and beautiful homes will be left empty, with no one to take care of them.


book: Isa
contenido:
Four hectares of grapevines will produce only 27 liters of juice, and 180 liters of seed will produce merely 18 liters of grain.


book: Isa
contenido:
At your drinking parties you have the music of stringed instruments, tambourines, and flutes. But you never even think about all the LORD has done,


book: Isa
contenido:
and so his people know nothing about him. That's why many of you will be dragged off to foreign lands. Your leaders will starve to death, and everyone else will suffer from thirst.


book: Isa
contenido:
The world of the dead has opened its mouth wide and is eagerly waiting for the leaders of Jerusalem and for its noisy crowds, especially for those who take pride in that city.


book: Isa
contenido:
His people will be like sheep grazing in their own pasture, and they will take off what was left by others.


book: Isa
contenido:
And you say, “Let the holy God of Israel hurry up and do what he has promised, so we can see it for ourselves.”


book: Isa
contenido:
You will go up in flames like straw and hay! You have rejected the teaching of the holy LORD God All-Powerful of Israel. Now your roots will rot, and your blossoms will turn to dust.


book: Isa
contenido:
You are the LORD's people, but you made him terribly angry, and he struck you with his mighty arm. Mountains shook, and dead bodies covered the streets like garbage. The LORD is still angry, and he is ready to strike you again.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD has signaled for the foreign nations to come and attack you. He has already whistled, and they are coming as fast as they can.


book: Isa
contenido:
None of them are tired. They don't sleep or get drowsy, and they run without stumbling. Their belts don't come loose; their sandal straps don't break.


book: Isa
contenido:
Their arrows are sharp, and their bows are ready. The hoofs of their horses are hard as flint; the wheels of their war chariots turn as fast as a whirlwind.


book: Isa
contenido:
They roar and growl like fierce young lions as they grab their victims and drag them off where no one can rescue them.


book: Isa
contenido:
On the day they attack, they will roar like the ocean. And across the land you will see nothing but darkness and trouble, because the light of day will be covered by thick clouds.


book: Isa
contenido:
In the year that King Uzziah died, I had a vision of the LORD. He was on his throne high above, and his robe filled the temple.


book: Isa
contenido:
Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more. They used the other two wings for flying,


book: Isa
contenido:
Then I cried out, “I'm doomed! Everything I say is sinful, and so are the words of everyone around me. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD All-Powerful.”


book: Isa
contenido:
One of the flaming creatures flew over to me with a burning coal that it had taken from the altar with a pair of metal tongs.


book: Isa
contenido:
It touched my lips with the hot coal and said, “This has touched your lips. Your sins are forgiven, and you are no longer guilty.”


book: Isa
contenido:
After this, I heard the LORD ask, “Is there anyone I can send? Will someone speak for us?” “I'll go,” I answered. “Send me!”


book: Isa
contenido:
Then the LORD told me to go and speak this message to the people: “You will listen and listen, but never understand. You will look and look, but never see.” The LORD also said,


book: Isa
contenido:
“Make these people stubborn! Make them stop up their ears, cover their eyes, and fail to understand. Don't let them turn to me and be healed.”


book: Isa
contenido:
Then I asked the LORD, “How long will this last?” The LORD answered: Until their towns are destroyed and their houses are deserted, until their fields are empty,


book: Isa
contenido:
If only a tenth of the people are left, even they will be destroyed. But just as stumps remain after trees have been cut down, some of my chosen ones will be left.


book: Isa
contenido:
Ahaz, the son of Jotham and the grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah when King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel went to attack Jerusalem. But they were not able to do what they had planned.


book: Isa
contenido:
When news reached the royal palace that Syria had joined forces with Israel, King Ahaz and everyone in Judah were so terrified that they shook like trees in a windstorm.


book: Isa
contenido:
Then the LORD said to me: Take your son Shearjashub and go see King Ahaz. You will find him on the road near the cloth makers' shops at the end of the canal that brings water from the upper pool.


book: Isa
contenido:
Tell Ahaz to stop worrying. There's no need for him to be afraid of King Rezin and King Pekah. They are very angry, but they are nothing more than a dying fire. Ahaz doesn't need to fear


book: Isa
contenido:
Damascus is just the capital of Syria, and King Rezin rules only in Damascus. Samaria is just the capital of Israel, and King Pekah rules only in Samaria. But in less than 65 years, Israel will be destroyed. And if Ahaz and his officials don't trust me, they will be defeated.


book: Isa
contenido:
“Ask me for proof that my promise will come true. Ask for something to happen deep in the world of the dead or high in the heavens above.”


book: Isa
contenido:
Then I said: Listen, every one of you in the royal family of David. You have already tried my patience. Now you are trying God's patience by refusing to ask for proof.


book: Isa
contenido:
But the LORD will still give you proof. A virgin is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel.


book: Isa
contenido:
Even before the boy is old enough to know how to choose between right and wrong, he will eat yogurt and honey, and the countries of the two kings you fear will be destroyed.


book: Isa
contenido:
But the LORD will make more trouble for your people and your kingdom than any of you have known since Israel broke away from Judah. He will even bring the king of Assyria to attack you.


book: Isa
contenido:
When that time comes, the LORD will whistle, and armies will come from Egypt like flies and from Assyria like bees.


book: Isa
contenido:
They will settle everywhere—in the deep valleys and between the rocks, on every thornbush and all over the pastureland.


book: Isa
contenido:
The Lord will pay the king of Assyria to bring a razor from across the Euphrates River and shave your head and every hair on your body, including your beard.


book: Isa
contenido:
You will go there to hunt with your bow and arrows, because the whole country will be covered with thornbushes.


book: Isa
contenido:
The hills where you once planted crops will be overgrown with thorns and thistles. You will be afraid to go there, and your cattle, sheep, and goats will be turned loose on those hills.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD said, “Isaiah, get something to write on. Then write in big clear letters the name, MAHER-SHALAL-HASH-BAZ.


book: Isa
contenido:
Because before he can say ‘Mommy’ or ‘Daddy,’ the king of Assyria will attack and take everything of value from Damascus and Samaria.”


book: Isa
contenido:
These people have refused the gentle waters of Shiloah and have gladly gone over to the side of King Rezin and King Pekah.


book: Isa
contenido:
Now I will send the king of Assyria against them with his powerful army, which will attack like the mighty Euphrates River overflowing its banks.


book: Isa
contenido:
Enemy soldiers will cover Judah like a flood reaching up to your neck. But God is with us. He will spread his wings and protect our land.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD took hold of me with his powerful hand and said: I'm warning you! Don't act like these people.


book: Isa
contenido:
Don't call something a rebellious plot, just because they do, and don't be afraid of something, just because they are.


book: Isa
contenido:
Run to me for protection. I am a rock that will make both Judah and Israel stumble and break their bones. I am a trap that will catch the people of Jerusalem—they will be captured and dragged away.


book: Isa
contenido:
Someone may say to you, “Go to the fortunetellers who make soft chirping sounds or ask the spirits of the dead. After all, a nation ought to be able to ask its own gods


book: Isa
contenido:
They will go around in great pain and will become so hungry that they will angrily curse their king and their gods. And when they try to find help in heaven


book: Isa
contenido:
But those who have suffered will no longer be in pain. The territories of Zebulun and Naphtali in Galilee were once hated. But this land of the Gentiles across the Jordan River and along the Mediterranean Sea will be greatly respected.


book: Isa
contenido:
Those who walked in the dark have seen a bright light. And it shines upon everyone who lives in the land of darkest shadows.


book: Isa
contenido:
Our LORD, you have made your nation stronger. Because of you, its people are glad and celebrate like workers at harvest time or like soldiers dividing up what they have taken.


book: Isa
contenido:
You have broken the power of those who abused and enslaved your people. You have rescued them just as you saved your people from Midian.


book: Isa
contenido:
The boots of marching warriors and the blood-stained uniforms have been fed to flames and eaten by fire.


book: Isa
contenido:
A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.


book: Isa
contenido:
His power will never end; peace will last forever. He will rule David's kingdom and make it grow strong. He will always rule with honesty and justice. The LORD All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.


book: Isa
contenido:
and all of them knew it, including everyone in the capital city of Samaria. But they were proud and stubborn and said,


book: Isa
contenido:
“Houses of brick and sycamore have fallen to the ground, but we will build houses with stones and cedar.”


book: Isa
contenido:
He sent the Arameans from the east and the Philistines from the west, and they swallowed up Israel. But even this did not stop him from being angry, so he kept on punishing them.


book: Isa
contenido:
The Lord was angry with his people and kept punishing them, because they had turned against him. They were evil and spoke foolishly. That's why he did not have pity on their young people or on their widows and orphans.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD All-Powerful was angry and used the people as fuel for a fire that scorched the land. They turned against each other


book: Isa
contenido:
like wild animals attacking and eating everyone around them, even their own relatives. But still they were not satisfied.


book: Isa
contenido:
The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh turned against each other, then joined forces to attack Judah. But the LORD was still angry and ready to punish the nation even more.


book: Isa
contenido:
But what will you do when you are fiercely attacked and punished by foreigners? Where will you run for help? Where will you hide your valuables?


book: Isa
contenido:
How will you escape being captured or killed? The Lord is still angry, and he isn't through with you yet!


book: Isa
contenido:
to beat down you godless people. I am angry with you, and I will send him to attack you. He will take what he wants and walk on you like mud in the streets.


book: Isa
contenido:
The gods of Jerusalem and Samaria are weaker than the gods of those powerful nations. And I will destroy Jerusalem, together with its gods and idols, just as I did Samaria.


book: Isa
contenido:
The Lord will do what he has planned against Jerusalem and Mount Zion. Then he will punish the proud and boastful king of Assyria,


book: Isa
contenido:
who says: I did these things by my own power because I am smart and clever. I attacked kings like a wild bull, and I took the land and the treasures of their nations.


book: Isa
contenido:
I have conquered the whole world! And it was easier than taking eggs from an unguarded nest. No one even flapped a wing or made a peep.


book: Isa
contenido:
King of Assyria, can an ax or a saw overpower the one who uses it? Can a wooden pole lift whoever holds it?


book: Isa
contenido:
The mighty LORD All-Powerful will send a terrible disease to strike down your army, and you will burn with fever under your royal robes.


book: Isa
contenido:
The holy God, who is the light of Israel, will turn into a fire, and in one day you will go up in flames, just like a thornbush.


book: Isa
contenido:
A time is coming when the survivors from Israel and Judah will completely depend on the holy LORD of Israel, instead of the nation that defeated them.


book: Isa
contenido:
There were as many people as there are grains of sand along the seashore, but only a few will survive to come back to Israel's mighty God. This is because he has threatened to destroy their nation, just as they deserve.


book: Isa
contenido:
Now the LORD God All-Powerful says to his people in Jerusalem: The Assyrians will beat you with sticks and abuse you, just as the Egyptians did. But don't be afraid of them.


book: Isa
contenido:
I will beat the Assyrians with a whip, as I did the people of Midian near the rock at Oreb. And I will show the same mighty power that I used when I made a path through the sea in Egypt.


book: Isa
contenido:
Then they will no longer rule your nation. All will go well for you, and your burden will be lifted.


book: Isa
contenido:
Enemy troops have reached the town of Aiath. They have gone through Migron, and they stored their supplies at Michmash,


book: Isa
contenido:
before crossing the valley and spending the night at Geba. The people of Ramah are terrified; everyone in Gibeah, the hometown of Saul, has run away.


book: Isa
contenido:
But the LORD All-Powerful will use his fearsome might to bring down the tallest trees and chop off every branch.


book: Isa
contenido:
The Spirit of the LORD will be with him to give him understanding, wisdom, and insight. He will be powerful, and he will know and honor the LORD.


book: Isa
contenido:
His greatest joy will be to obey the LORD. This king won't judge by appearances or listen to rumors.


book: Isa
contenido:
The poor and the needy will be treated with fairness and with justice. His word will be law everywhere in the land, and criminals will be put to death.


book: Isa
contenido:
Leopards will lie down with young goats, and wolves will rest with lambs. Calves and lions will eat together and be cared for by little children.


book: Isa
contenido:
Cows and bears will share the same pasture; their young will rest side by side. Lions and oxen will both eat straw.


book: Isa
contenido:
Little children will play near snake holes. They will stick their hands into dens of poisonous snakes and never be hurt.


book: Isa
contenido:
Nothing harmful will take place on the LORD's holy mountain. Just as water fills the sea, the land will be filled with people who know and honor the LORD.


book: Isa
contenido:
The time is coming when one of David's descendants will be the signal for the people of all nations to come together. They will follow his advice, and his own nation will become famous.


book: Isa
contenido:
When that day comes, the Lord will again reach out his mighty arm and bring home his people who have survived in Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the land along the coast.


book: Isa
contenido:
He will give a signal to the nations, and he will bring together the refugees from Judah and Israel, who have been scattered all over the earth.


book: Isa
contenido:
Instead, they will get together and attack the Philistines in the west. Then they will defeat the Edomites, the Moabites, and the Ammonites in the east. They will rule those people and take from them whatever they want.


book: Isa
contenido:
The Lord will dry up the arm of the Red Sea near Egypt, and he will send a scorching wind to divide the Euphrates River into seven streams that anyone can step across.


book: Isa
contenido:
Then for his people who survive, there will be a good road from Assyria, just as there was a good road for their ancestors when they left Egypt.


book: Isa
contenido:
At that time you will say, “I thank you, LORD! You were angry with me, but you stopped being angry and gave me comfort.


book: Isa
contenido:
I trust you to save me, LORD God, and I won't be afraid. My power and my strength come from you, and you have saved me.”


book: Isa
contenido:
At that time you will say, “Our LORD, we are thankful, and we worship only you. We will tell the nations how glorious you are and what you have done.


book: Isa
contenido:
From high on a barren hill give a signal, shout the orders, and point the way to enter the gates of Babylon's proud rulers.


book: Isa
contenido:
Listen to the noisy crowds on the mountains! Kingdoms and nations are joining forces. The LORD All-Powerful is bringing together an army for battle.


book: Isa
contenido:
From a distant land the LORD is coming fierce and furious— he brings his weapons to destroy the whole earth.


book: Isa
contenido:
Everyone will tremble with pain like a woman giving birth; they will stare at each other with horror on their faces.


book: Isa
contenido:
I, the LORD, will show no mercy or pity when that time comes. In my anger I will destroy the earth and every sinner who lives on it.


book: Isa
contenido:
Light will disappear from the stars in the sky; the dawning sun will turn dark, and the moon will lose its brightness.


book: Isa
contenido:
I will punish this evil world and its people because of their sins. I will crush the horrible pride of those who are cruel.


book: Isa
contenido:
Everyone will run to their homelands, just as hunted deer run, and sheep scatter when they have no shepherd.


book: Isa
contenido:
The city of Babylon is glorious and powerful, the pride of the nation. But it will be like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah after I, the Lord, destroyed them.


book: Isa
contenido:
No one will live in Babylon. Even nomads won't camp nearby, and shepherds won't let their sheep rest there.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD will have mercy on Israel and will let them be his chosen people once again. He will bring them back to their own land, and foreigners will join them as part of Israel.


book: Isa
contenido:
Other nations will lead them home, and Israel will make slaves of them in the land that belongs to the Lord. Israel will rule over those who once governed and mistreated them.


book: Isa
contenido:
Then you will make fun of the King of Babylonia by singing this song: That cruel monster is done for! He won't attack us again.


book: Isa
contenido:
King of Babylonia, even the cypress trees and the cedars of Lebanon celebrate and say, “Since you were put down, no one comes along to chop us down.”


book: Isa
contenido:
The world of the dead eagerly waits for you. With great excitement, the spirits of ancient rulers hear about your coming.


book: Isa
contenido:
Your pride and your music have ended here in the world of the dead. Worms are your blanket, maggots are your bed.”


book: Isa
contenido:
You, the bright morning star, have fallen from the sky! You brought down other nations; now you are brought down.


book: Isa
contenido:
You said to yourself, “I'll climb to heaven and place my throne above the highest stars. I'll sit there with the gods far away in the north.


book: Isa
contenido:
Those who see you will stare and wonder, “Is this the man who made the world tremble and shook up kingdoms?


book: Isa
contenido:
Did he capture every city and make earth a desert? Is he the one who refused to let prisoners go home?”


book: Isa
contenido:
But you will be left unburied, just another dead body lying underfoot like a broken branch. You will be one of many killed in battle and gone down to the deep rocky pit.


book: Isa
contenido:
You won't be buried with kings; you ruined your country and murdered your people. You evil monster! We hope that your family will be forgotten forever.


book: Isa
contenido:
We will slaughter your sons to make them pay for the crimes of their ancestors. They won't take over the world or build cities anywhere on this earth.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD All-Powerful has promised to attack Babylonia and destroy everyone there, so that none of them will ever be remembered again.


book: Isa
contenido:
I will wipe out every Assyrian in my country, and I will crush those on my mountains. I will free my people from slavery to the Assyrians.


book: Isa
contenido:
Philistines, don't be happy just because the rod that punished you is broken. That rod will become a poisonous snake, and then a flying fiery dragon.


book: Isa
contenido:
The poor and needy will find pastures for their sheep and will live in safety. But I will starve some of you, and others will be killed.


book: Isa
contenido:
Cry and weep in the gates of your towns, you Philistines! Smoke blows in from the north, and every soldier is ready.


book: Isa
contenido:
If a messenger comes from a distant nation, you must say: “The LORD built Zion. Even the poorest of his people will find safety there.”


book: Isa
contenido:
This is a message about Moab: The towns of Ar and Kir were destroyed in a night. Moab is left in ruins!


book: Isa
contenido:
Everyone in Dibon has gone up to the temple and the shrines to cry and weep. All of Moab is crying. Heads and beards are shaved because of what happened at Nebo and Medeba.


book: Isa
contenido:
From Heshbon and Elealeh, weeping is heard in Jahaz; Moab's warriors scream while trembling with fear.


book: Isa
contenido:
I pity Moab! Its people are running to Zoar and to Eglath-Shelishiyah. They cry on their way up to the town of Luhith; on the road to Horonaim they tell of disasters.


book: Isa
contenido:
The people of Moab are leaving, crossing over Willow Creek, taking everything they own and have worked for.


book: Isa
contenido:
The streams near Dimon are flowing with blood. But the Lord will bring even worse trouble to Dimon, because all in Moab who escape will be attacked by lions.


book: Isa
contenido:
Moab's messengers say to the people of Judah, “Be kind and help us! Shade us from the heat of the noonday sun. Hide our refugees! Don't turn them away.


book: Isa
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Let our people live in your country and find safety here.” Moab, your cruel enemies will disappear; they will no longer attack and destroy your land.


book: Isa
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Then a kingdom of love will be set up, and someone from David's family will rule with fairness. He will do what is right and quickly bring justice.


book: Isa
contenido:
Tell everyone in Moab to mourn for their nation. Tell them to cry and weep for those fancy raisins of Kir-Hareseth.


book: Isa
contenido:
Vineyards near Heshbon and Sibmah have turned brown. The rulers of nations used to get drunk on wine from those vineyards that spread to Jazer, then across the desert and beyond the sea.


book: Isa
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Now I mourn like Jazer for the vineyards of Sibmah. I shed tears for Heshbon and for Elealeh. There will be no more harvest celebrations


book: Isa
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or joyful and happy times, while bringing in the crops. Singing and shouting are gone from the vineyards. There are no joyful shouts where grapes were pressed. God has silenced them all.


book: Isa
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Now he says, “The contract of a hired worker is good for three years, but Moab's glory and greatness won't last any longer than that. Only a few of its people will survive, and they will be left helpless.”


book: Isa
contenido:
Israel will lose its fortresses. The kingdom of Damascus will be destroyed; its survivors will suffer the same fate as Israel. The LORD All-Powerful has promised this.


book: Isa
contenido:
When that time comes, the glorious nation of Israel will be brought down; its prosperous people will be skin and bones.


book: Isa
contenido:
It will be like an olive tree beaten with a stick, leaving two or three olives or maybe four or five on the highest or most fruitful branches. The LORD God of Israel has promised this.


book: Isa
contenido:
They have built altars and places for burning incense to their goddess Asherah, and they have set up sacred poles for her. But they will stop worshiping at these places.


book: Isa
contenido:
Israel captured powerful cities and chased out the people who lived there. But these cities will lie in ruins, covered over with weeds and underbrush.


book: Isa
contenido:
Israel, you have forgotten the God who saves you, the one who is the mighty rock where you find protection. You plant the finest flowers to honor a foreign god.


book: Isa
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The plants may sprout and blossom that very same morning, but it will do you no good, because you will suffer endless agony.


book: Isa
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But even if they roar like a fearsome flood, God will give the command to turn them back. They will be like dust, or like a tumbleweed blowing across the hills in a windstorm.


book: Isa
contenido:
In the evening their attack is fierce, but by morning they are destroyed. This is what happens to those who raid and rob us.


book: Isa
contenido:
Egypt sends messengers up the Nile River on ships made of reeds. Send them fast to Ethiopia, whose people are tall and have smooth skin. Their land is divided by rivers; they are strong and brutal, feared all over the world.


book: Isa
contenido:
Everyone on this earth, listen with care! A signal will be given on the mountains, and you will hear a trumpet.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD said to me, “I will calmly look down from my home above— as calmly as the sun at noon or clouds in the heat of harvest season.”


book: Isa
contenido:
Ethiopians will be food for mountain vultures during the summer and for wild animals during the winter.


book: Isa
contenido:
Those Ethiopians are tall and their skin is smooth. They are feared all over the world, because they are strong and brutal. But at that time they will come from their land divided by rivers, and they will bring gifts to the LORD All-Powerful, who is worshiped on Mount Zion.


book: Isa
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This is a message about Egypt: The LORD comes to Egypt, riding swiftly on a cloud. The people are weak from fear. Their idols tremble as he approaches and says,


book: Isa
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“Egypt will be discouraged when I confuse their plans. They will try to get advice from their idols, from the spirits of the dead, and from fortunetellers.


book: Isa
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I will put the Egyptians under the power of a cruel, heartless king. I, the LORD All-Powerful, have promised this.”


book: Isa
contenido:
The king's officials in Zoan are foolish themselves and give stupid advice. How can they say to him, “We are very wise, and our families go back to kings of long ago?”


book: Isa
contenido:
Where are those wise men now? If they can, let them say what the LORD All-Powerful intends for Egypt.


book: Isa
contenido:
The royal officials in Zoan and in Memphis are foolish and deceived. The leaders in every state have given bad advice to the nation.


book: Isa
contenido:
When the LORD All-Powerful punishes Egypt with his mighty arm, the Egyptians will become terribly weak and will tremble with fear.


book: Isa
contenido:
They will be so terrified of Judah that they will be frightened by the very mention of its name. This will happen because of what the LORD All-Powerful is planning against Egypt.


book: Isa
contenido:
The time is coming when Hebrew will be spoken in five Egyptian cities, and their people will become followers of the LORD. One of these cities will be called City of the Sun.


book: Isa
contenido:
In the heart of Egypt an altar will be set up for the LORD; at its border a shrine will be built to honor him.


book: Isa
contenido:
These will remind the Egyptians that the LORD All-Powerful is with them. And when they are in trouble and ask for help, he will send someone to rescue them from their enemies.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD will show the Egyptians who he is, and they will know and worship the LORD. They will bring him sacrifices and offerings, and they will keep their promises to him.


book: Isa
contenido:
After the LORD has punished Egypt, the people will turn to him. Then he will answer their prayers, and the Egyptians will be healed.


book: Isa
contenido:
At that time a good road will run from Egypt to Assyria. The Egyptians and the Assyrians will travel back and forth from Egypt to Assyria, and they will worship together.


book: Isa
contenido:
then the LORD All-Powerful will bless them by saying, “The Egyptians are my people. I created the Assyrians and chose the Israelites.”


book: Isa
contenido:
About this same time the LORD had told me, “Isaiah, take off everything, including your sandals!” I did this and went around naked and barefoot


book: Isa
contenido:
Everyone in these two countries will be led away naked and barefoot by the king of Assyria. Young or old, they will be taken prisoner, and Egypt will be disgraced.


book: Isa
contenido:
When this happens, the people who live along the coast will say, “Look what happened to them! We ran to them for safety, hoping they would protect us from the king of Assyria. But now, there is no escape for us.”


book: Isa
contenido:
This is a message about a desert beside the sea: Enemies from a hostile nation attack like a whirlwind from the Southern Desert.


book: Isa
contenido:
What a horrible vision was shown to me— a vision of betrayal and destruction. Tell Elam and Media to surround and attack the Babylonians. The LORD has sworn to end the suffering they caused.


book: Isa
contenido:
I'm in terrible pain like a woman giving birth. I'm shocked and hurt so much that I can't hear or see.


book: Isa
contenido:
In Babylon the high officials were having a feast. They were eating and drinking, when someone shouted, “Officers, take your places! Grab your shields.”


book: Isa
contenido:
Now I see column after column of cavalry troops.” At once someone shouted, “Babylon has fallen! Every idol in the city lies broken on the ground.”


book: Isa
contenido:
Then I said, “My people, you have suffered terribly, but I have a message for you from the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel.”


book: Isa
contenido:
This is a message about Dumah: From the country of Seir, someone shouts to me, “Guard, how much longer before daylight?”


book: Isa
contenido:
From my guard post, I answered, “Morning will soon be here, but night will return. If you want to know more, come back later.”


book: Isa
contenido:
This is a message for Arabs who live in the barren desert in the region of Dedan: You must order your caravans


book: Isa
contenido:
to bring water for those who are thirsty. You people of Tema must bring food for the hungry refugees.


book: Isa
contenido:
The Lord said to me: A year from now the glory of the people of Kedar will all come to an end, just as a worker's contract ends after a year.


book: Isa
contenido:
Only a few of their warriors will be left with bows and arrows. This is a promise that I, the LORD God of Israel, have made.


book: Isa
contenido:
Your city is filled with noisy shouts. Those who lie drunk in your streets were not killed in battle.


book: Isa
contenido:
Your leaders ran away, but they were captured without a fight. No matter how far they ran, they were found and caught.


book: Isa
contenido:
Then I said, “Leave me alone! Let me cry bitter tears. My people have been destroyed, so don't try to comfort me.”


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD All-Powerful had chosen a time for noisy shouts and confusion to fill Vision Valley, and for everyone to beg the mountains for help.


book: Isa
contenido:
Your most beautiful valleys were covered with chariots; your cities were surrounded by cavalry troops.


book: Isa
contenido:
Judah was left defenseless. At that time you trusted in the weapons you had stored in Forest Palace.


book: Isa
contenido:
You counted the houses in Jerusalem and tore down some of them, so you could get stones to repair the city wall.


book: Isa
contenido:
Then you built a large tank between the walls to store the water. But you refused to trust the God who planned this long ago and made it happen.


book: Isa
contenido:
When all of this happened, the LORD All-Powerful told you to weep and mourn, to shave your heads, and wear sackcloth.


book: Isa
contenido:
But instead, you celebrated by feasting on beef and lamb and by drinking wine, because you said, “Let's eat and drink today! Tomorrow we may die.”


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD All-Powerful has spoken to me this solemn promise: “I won't forgive them for this, not as long as they live.”


book: Isa
contenido:
Shebna, what gives you the right to have a tomb carved out of rock in this burial place of royalty? None of your relatives are buried here.


book: Isa
contenido:
He will roll you into a ball and throw you into a wide open country, where you will die and your chariots will be destroyed. You're a disgrace to those you serve.


book: Isa
contenido:
He will give your official robes and your authority to his servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah. Eliakim will be like a father to the people of Jerusalem and to the royal family of Judah.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD will put him in charge of the key that belongs to King David's family. No one will be able to unlock what he locks, and no one will be able to lock what he unlocks.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD will make him as firm in his position as a tent peg hammered in the ground, and Eliakim will bring honor to his family.


book: Isa
contenido:
That peg is fastened firmly now, but someday it will be shaken loose and fall down. Then everything that was hanging on it will be destroyed. This is what the LORD All-Powerful has promised.


book: Isa
contenido:
This is a message from distant islands about the city of Tyre: Cry, you seagoing ships! Tyre and its houses lie in ruins.


book: Isa
contenido:
Mourn in silence, you shop owners of Sidon, you people on the coast. Your sailors crossed oceans, making your city rich.


book: Isa
contenido:
Your merchants sailed the seas, making you wealthy by trading with nation after nation. They brought back grain that grew along the Nile.


book: Isa
contenido:
Sidon, you are a mighty fortress built along the sea. But you will be disgraced like a married woman who never had children.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD All-Powerful planned it to bring shame and disgrace to those who are honored by everyone on earth.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD's hand has reached across the sea, upsetting the nations. He has given a command to destroy fortresses in the land of Canaan.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD has said to the people of Sidon, “Your celebrating is over— you are crushed. Even if you escape to Cyprus, you won't find peace.”


book: Isa
contenido:
Look what the Assyrians have done to Babylonia! They have attacked, destroying every palace in the land. Now wild animals live among the ruins.


book: Isa
contenido:
The city of Tyre will be forgotten for 70 years, which is the lifetime of a king. Then Tyre will be like that evil woman in the song:


book: Isa
contenido:
You're gone and forgotten, you evil woman! So strut through the town, singing and playing your favorite tune to be remembered again.


book: Isa
contenido:
At the end of those 70 years, the LORD will let Tyre get back into business. The city will be like a woman who sells her body to everyone of every nation on earth,


book: Isa
contenido:
but none of what is earned will be kept in the city. That money will belong to the LORD, and it will be used to buy more than enough food and good clothes for those who worship the LORD.


book: Isa
contenido:
The LORD is going to twist the earth out of shape and turn it into a desert. Everyone will be scattered,


book: Isa
contenido:
including ordinary people and priests, slaves and slave owners, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, the rich and the poor.


book: Isa
contenido:
The earth is polluted because its people disobeyed the laws of God, breaking their agreement that was to last forever.


book: Isa
contenido:
From all over the world songs of praise are heard for the God of justice. But I feel awful, terribly miserable. Can anyone be trusted? So many are treacherous!


book: Isa
contenido:
If you are terrified and run, you will fall into a pit; if you crawl out of the pit, you will get caught in a trap. The sky has split apart like a window thrown open. The foundations of the earth have been shaken;


book: Isa
contenido:
It staggers and shakes like a drunkard or a hut in a windstorm. It is burdened down with sin; the earth will fall, never again to get up.


