Day 119 of 730

¹Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite:

²and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

³This man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to the Lord, were there.

⁴When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

⁵but to Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah, but the Lord had shut up her womb.

⁶Her rival taunted her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had shut up her womb.

⁷As he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she taunted her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

⁸Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"

⁹So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drank. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the Lord's temple.

¹⁰She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly.

¹¹She vowed a vow, and said, "Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a boy, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head."

¹²It happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli saw her mouth.

¹³Now Hannah spoke in her heart. Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.

¹⁴Eli said to her, "How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you."

¹⁵Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before the Lord.

¹⁶Do not count your handmaid as a worthless woman; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my distress and my anguish."

¹⁷Then Eli answered, "Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him."

¹⁸She said, "Let your handmaid find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way, and ate; and her facial expression wasn't sad any more.

¹⁹They rose up in the morning early, and worshiped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

²⁰It happened, when the time had come, that Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of the Lord."

²¹The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

²²But Hannah did not go up; for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and stay there forever."

²³Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may the Lord establish his word." So the woman waited and nursed her son, until she weaned him.

²⁴When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with a three year old bull, and one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the Lord's house in Shiloh. The child was young.

²⁵They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.

²⁶She said, "Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord.

²⁷For this child I prayed; and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of him.

²⁸Therefore also I have granted him to the Lord. As long as he lives he is granted to the Lord." He worshiped the Lord there.

¹Hannah prayed, and said: "My heart exults in the Lord! My horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

²There is no one as holy as the Lord, For there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God.

³"Talk no more so exceeding proudly. Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth, For the Lord is a God of knowledge. By him actions are weighed.

⁴"The bows of the mighty men are broken. Those who stumbled are armed with strength.

⁵Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. Those who were hungry are satisfied. Yes, the barren has borne seven. She who has many children languishes.

⁶"The Lord kills, and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol, and brings up.

⁷The Lord makes poor, and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up.

⁸He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill, To make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's. He has set the world on them.

⁹He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness; for no man shall prevail by strength.

¹⁰Those who strive with the Lord shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. "The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed."

¹¹Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. The child served the Lord before Eli the priest.

¹²Now the sons of Eli were base men; they did not know the Lord.

¹³The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was boiling, with a fork of three teeth in his hand;

¹⁴and he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest took therewith. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.

¹⁵Yes, before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man who sacrificed, "Give meat to roast for the priest; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but raw."

¹⁶If the man said to him, "Let the fat be burned first, and then take as much as your soul desires"; then he would say, "No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force."

¹⁷The sin of the young men was very great before the Lord; for they despised the offering of the Lord.

¹⁸But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, clothed with a linen ephod.

¹⁹Moreover his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

²⁰Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, "The Lord give you seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of the Lord." They went to their own home.

²¹The Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived, and bore three sons and two daughters. The child Samuel grew before the Lord.

²²Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how that they lay with the women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

²³He said to them, "Why do you do such things? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people.

²⁴No, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: you make the Lord's people disobey.

²⁵If one man sin against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him?" Notwithstanding, they did not listen to the voice of their father, because the Lord intended to kill them.

²⁶The child Samuel grew on, and increased in favor both with the Lord, and also with men.

²⁷A man of God came to Eli, and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, I plainly revealed myself to the house of your father, when they were slaves in Egypt to the house of Pharaoh.

²⁸And I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me. And I gave to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire.

²⁹Why do you kick at my sacrifice and at my offering, which I have commanded in my habitation, and honor your sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people?'

³⁰"Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, says, 'I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before me forever.' But now the Lord says, 'Be it far from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

³¹Behold, the days come, that I will cut off your arm, and the arm of your father's house, that there shall not be an old man in your house.

³²You shall see the affliction of my habitation, in all the wealth which I shall give Israel; and there shall not be an old man in your house forever.

³³The man of yours, whom I shall not cut off from my altar, shall consume your eyes, and grieve your heart; and all the increase of your house shall die in the flower of their age.

³⁴"'This shall be the sign to you, that shall come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall both die.

³⁵I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind. I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before my anointed forever.

³⁶It shall happen, that everyone who is left in your house shall come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and shall say, "Please put me into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a morsel of bread."'"

¹Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the Lord's Law.

²Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.

³Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.

⁴You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.

⁵Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!

⁶Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.

⁷I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.

⁸I will observe your statutes. Do not utterly forsake me.

⁹How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

¹⁰With my whole heart, I have sought you. Do not let me wander from your commandments.

¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

¹²Blessed are you, Lord. Teach me your statutes.

¹³With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.

¹⁴I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.

¹⁵I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.

¹⁶I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.

¹⁷Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.

¹⁸Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your Law.

¹⁹I am a stranger on the earth. Do not hide your commandments from me.

²⁰My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.

²¹You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.

²²Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.

²³Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

²⁴Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.

²⁵My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!

²⁶I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.

²⁷Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.

²⁸My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.

²⁹Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your Law graciously!

³⁰I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.

³¹I cling to your statutes, Lord. Do not let me be disappointed.

³²I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.

³³Teach me, Lord, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.

³⁴Give me understanding, and I will keep your Law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.

³⁵Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.

³⁶Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.

³⁷Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.

³⁸Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.

³⁹Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.

⁴⁰Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.

⁴¹Let your loving kindness also come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your word.

⁴²So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.

⁴³Do not snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.

⁴⁴So I will obey your Law continually, forever and ever.

⁴⁵I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.

⁴⁶I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.

⁴⁷I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.

⁴⁸I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.

⁴⁹Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.

⁵⁰This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.

⁵¹The arrogant mock me excessively, but I do not swerve from your Law.

⁵²I remember your ordinances of old, Lord, and have comforted myself.

⁵³Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your Law.

⁵⁴Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.

⁵⁵I have remembered your name, Lord, in the night, and I obey your Law.

⁵⁶This is my way, that I keep your precepts.

⁵⁷The Lord is my portion. I promised to obey your words.

⁵⁸I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.

⁵⁹I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.

⁶⁰I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.

⁶¹The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your Law.

⁶²At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.

⁶³I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.

⁶⁴The earth is full of your loving kindness, Lord. Teach me your statutes.

⁶⁵Do good to your servant, according to your word, Lord.

⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

⁶⁷Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.

⁶⁸You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.

⁶⁹The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.

⁷⁰Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your Law.

⁷¹It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.

⁷²The Law you have spoken is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

⁷³Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.

⁷⁴Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.

⁷⁵Lord, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have humbled me.

⁷⁶Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.

⁷⁷Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your Law is my delight.

⁷⁸Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.

⁷⁹Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.

⁸⁰Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.

⁸¹My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.

⁸²My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?"

⁸³For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I do not forget your statutes.

⁸⁴How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?

⁸⁵The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your Law.

⁸⁶All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!

⁸⁷They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I did not forsake your precepts.

⁸⁸Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.

⁸⁹Lord, your word is settled in heaven forever.

⁹⁰Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.

⁹¹Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.

⁹²Unless your Law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

⁹³I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.

⁹⁴I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.

⁹⁵The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.

⁹⁶I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.

⁹⁷How I love your Law! It is my meditation all day.

⁹⁸Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.

⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.

¹⁰¹I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.

¹⁰²I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.

¹⁰³How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.

¹⁰⁷I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Lord, according to your word.

¹⁰⁸Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Lord, teach me your ordinances.

¹⁰⁹My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your Law.

¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.

¹¹¹I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹²I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.

¹¹³I hate double-minded men, but I love your Law.

¹¹⁴You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.

¹¹⁵Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.

¹¹⁷Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.

¹¹⁸You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.

¹¹⁹You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.

¹²⁰My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.

¹²¹I have done what is just and righteous. Do not leave me to my oppressors.

¹²²Ensure your servant's well-being. Do not let the proud oppress me.

¹²³My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.

¹²⁴Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.

¹²⁵I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.

¹²⁶It is time to act, Lord, for they break your Law.

¹²⁷Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.

¹²⁸Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.

¹²⁹Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.

¹³⁰The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.

¹³¹I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.

¹³²Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

¹³³Establish my footsteps in your word. Do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

¹³⁴Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.

¹³⁵Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.

¹³⁶Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they do not observe your Law.

¹³⁷You are righteous, Lord. Your judgments are upright.

¹³⁸You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.

¹³⁹My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.

¹⁴⁰Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

¹⁴¹I am small and despised. I do not forget your precepts.

¹⁴²Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your Law is truth.

¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.

¹⁴⁴Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.

¹⁴⁵I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Lord! I will keep your statutes.

¹⁴⁶I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.

¹⁴⁷I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.

¹⁴⁸My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.

¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Lord, according to your ordinances.

¹⁵⁰They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your Law.

¹⁵¹You are near, Lord. All your commandments are truth.

¹⁵²Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.

¹⁵³Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I do not forget your Law.

¹⁵⁴Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.

¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.

¹⁵⁶Great are your tender mercies, Lord. Revive me according to your ordinances.

¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.

¹⁵⁸I look at the faithless with loathing, because they do not observe your word.

¹⁵⁹Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Lord, according to your loving kindness.

¹⁶⁰All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

¹⁶¹Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

¹⁶²I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil.

¹⁶³I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your Law.

¹⁶⁴Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.

¹⁶⁵Those who love your Law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.

¹⁶⁶I have hoped for your salvation, Lord. I have done your commandments.

¹⁶⁷My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.

¹⁶⁹Let my cry come before you, Lord. Give me understanding according to your word.

¹⁷⁰Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.

¹⁷¹Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.

¹⁷²Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.

¹⁷³Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

¹⁷⁴I have longed for your salvation, Lord. Your Law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.

¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

¹Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

²Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.

³A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

⁴Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

⁷Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

⁹Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

¹⁰As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

¹¹As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

¹²Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

¹³The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"

¹⁴As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.

¹⁵The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

¹⁶The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

¹⁷Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

¹⁸Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,

¹⁹is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"

²⁰For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

²¹As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

²²The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.

²³Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

²⁴A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.

²⁵When his speech is charming, do not believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

²⁶His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

²⁷Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

²⁸A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.