Day 269 of 730

¹At that time, Merodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he heard that he had been sick, and had recovered.

²Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah did not show them.

³Then Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah, and asked him, "What did these men say? Where did they come from to you?" Hezekiah said, "They have come from a country far from me, even from Babylon."

⁴Then he asked, "What have they seen in your house?" Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them."

⁵Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:

⁶'Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left,' says the Lord.

⁷'They will take away your sons who will issue from you, whom you shall father, and they will be eunuchs in the king of Babylon's palace.'"

⁸Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The Lord's word which you have spoken is good." He said moreover, "For there will be peace and truth in my days."

¹"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God.

²"Speak tenderly to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins."

³The voice of one who calls out, "Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God.

⁴Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain.

⁵The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it."

⁶The voice of one saying, "Cry!" One said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field.

⁷The grass withers, the flower fades, because the Lord's breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass.

⁸The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever."

⁹You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up. Do not be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold, your God!"

¹⁰Behold, the Lord God will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.

¹¹He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.

¹²Who has measured the waters of the sea in the hollow of his hand, and marked off the sky with his span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

¹³Who has known the mind of the Lord, or has taught him as his counselor?

¹⁴Who did he take counsel with, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?

¹⁵Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance. Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.

¹⁶Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering.

¹⁷All the nations are like nothing before him. They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity.

¹⁸To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to him?

¹⁹A workman has cast an image, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts silver chains for it.

²⁰He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up an engraved image for him that will not be moved.

²¹Haven't you known? Haven't you heard, yet? Haven't you been told from the beginning? Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth?

²²It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in;

²³who brings princes to nothing; who makes the judges of the earth like meaningless.

²⁴They are planted scarcely. They are sown scarcely. Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground. He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.

²⁵"To whom then will you liken me? Who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

²⁶Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these, who brings out their host by number. He calls them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, Not one is lacking.

²⁷Why do you say, Jacob, and speak, Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me is disregarded by my God?"

²⁸Haven't you known? Haven't you heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn't faint. He isn't weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

²⁹He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.

³⁰Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall;

³¹But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.

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.

¹The king's heart is in the Lord's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

²Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.

³To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

⁴A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

⁵The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

⁶Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

⁷The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

⁸The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

⁹It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.

¹⁰The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

¹¹When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

¹²The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

¹³Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

¹⁴A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

¹⁵It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

¹⁶The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.

¹⁷He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.

¹⁸The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright.

¹⁹It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

²⁰There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.

²¹He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

²²A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

²³Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

²⁴The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.

²⁵The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

²⁶There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and do not withhold.

²⁷The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!

²⁸A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.

²⁹A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

³⁰There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

³¹The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the Lord.