• Torah (T): Shemot (Exodus) 22:25 – 23:33
• Prophets (P): Isaiah 49:1-6
• Apostolic (A): Ya’aqov (James) 1:26 – 2:4
• Additional (ADD): Sirach 35:1-17

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Leviticus 25:35-38; Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Psalms 15:1-5; Proverbs 28:3-8; Ezekiel 18:5-13 (T)
• Deuteronomy 15:1-11; Matthew 5:42; Luke 6:30-36; Psalms 37:14-26; Psalms 112:1-10 (T)
• Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8 (T)
• Deuteronomy 24:10-13; Job 22:5-7 (T)
• Acts 23:1-5 (T)
• Proverbs 14:5 (T)
• Matthew 26:59-61; Acts 6:8-15 (T)
• Deuteronomy 22:1-4 (T)
• Philippians 2:1-4; Matthew 12:9-14 (T)
• Proverbs 22:22-23 (T)
• Proverbs 17:15, 24:23-25; Isaiah 5:22-23 (T)
• Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 1 Samuel 8:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:7 (T)
• Leviticus 25:1-7; Nehemiah 10:28-31 (T)
• Exodus 31:12-17 (T)
• Joshua 23:6-13; Psalms 16:1-4; Hosea 2:17; Zechariah 13:1-2 (T)
• Deuteronomy 16:16-17; 2 Chronicles 8:12-13; Luke 2:40-47 (T)
• Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Nehemiah 10:34-36 (T)
• Proverbs 3:9-10 (T)
• Exodus 33:1-3; Joshua 5:13-15 (T)
• Exodus 14:23-25; Joshua 10:7-14 (T)
• Deuteronomy 7:20-24; Joshua 24:11-13 (T)
• Numbers 34:1-12 (T)
• Joshua 23:11-13; Judges 2:1-4 (T)
• Luke 2:25-33; John 12:42-46; Acts 13:42-52; Acts 26:1-23 (P)
• Proverbs 14:31 (A)
• Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Proverbs 22:7-9; Luke 11:33-44; Matthew 6:19-34, Luke 12:13-34; Matthew 20:1-16 (ADD)

RELATED ADDITIONAL READINGS

• In Praise of Elohim’s Grace – Barki Nafshi 4Q437 Fragment 2 Column 1 (T, H)
• Sirach 35:1-15 (T, A)
• Wisdom of Solomon 2:1-20 (T, A)
• Exodus 22:25 – 23:33 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)
• Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus 3.5.6 (T)

Note: (T) means the verse relates to that week’s Torah portion. (P) means the verse relates to that week’s Prophets portion. (A) means the verse relates to that week’s Apostolic portion. (ADD) means the verse relates to that week’s Additional portion.

Torah Portion (T)

11:1 YHWH said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether. 2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold [and clothing].”^(LXX)(SP) 3 YHWH gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. 4 Moses said [to Pharaoh],^(DSS)(LXX) “This is what YHWH says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt, 5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the maid who is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of livestock. 6 There will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor will be any more. 7 But against any of the sons of Israel a dog won't even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that YHWH makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel. 8 All these servants of yours will come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, “Get out, with all the people who follow you;” and after that I will go out.' ” He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. 9 YHWH said to Moses, “Pharaoh won't listen to you, that my [signs and]^(LXX) wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron did all these [signs and]^(LXX) wonders before Pharaoh, but YHWH strengthened Pharaoh's heart, and he didn't let the sons of Israel go out of his land.

Prophets Portion (P)

49:1 Listen, islands, to me. Listen, you peoples, from afar: YHWH has called me from the womb; from the inside of my mother, he has mentioned my name. 2 He has made my mouth like a sharp sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. He has made me a polished shaft. He has kept me close in his quiver. 3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” 4 But I said, “I have labored in vain. I have spent my strength in vain for nothing; yet surely the justice due to me is with YHWH, and my reward with my Elohim.” 5 Now YHWH, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, says to bring Jacob again to him, and to gather Israel to him, for I am honorable in the eyes of YHWH, and my Elohim has become my strength. 6 Indeed, he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give you as a light to the nations, that you may be [salvation]^(LXX) to the end of the land.”

Apostolic Portion (A)

1:26 If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before our Elohim and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 2:1 My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our glorious Lord Yeshua the Messiah with partiality. 2 For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in, 3 and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, “Sit here in a good place;” and you tell the poor man, “Stand there,” or “Sit by my footstool” 4 haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

Additional Portion (ADD)

Sirach, or Wisdom of Sirach, and also known as the Book of Ecclesiasticus (abbreviated Ecclus.) or Ben Sira, is a work of ethical teachings, from approximately 200 to 175 B.C., written by the Jewish scribe Ben Sira of Jerusalem, on the inspiration of his father Joshua son of Sirach, sometimes called Jesus son of Sirach or Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira. The Sirach was almost completely uncovered in Hebrew in the Dead Sea Scrolls, at Masada, and the Cairo Geniza. The multiplicity of manuscript fragments uncovered in the Cairo Genizah evidence its authoritative status among Egyptian Jewry until the Middle Ages. Quotes from Sirach can be found in Rabbinic literature in multiple places  including the Talmud in Bava Kamma 92b:13 and Hagigah 13a:2. Additionally, the Gospels and other Apostolic Scriptures quote from the Book of Sirach including the Song of Miriam in Luke 1:52 (cf. Sirach 10:14); the description of the seed in Mark 4:5, 16–17 (cf. Sirach 40:15); the statement by Yeshua in Matthew 7:16,20 (cf. Sirach 27:6); and Ya’aqov (James) 1:19 (cf. Sirach 5:11).

35:1 He that guards the Torah makes many offerings; He that takes heed to the commandments slaughters a peace offering. 2 He that returns a kindness offers fine flour; And he that gives alms slaughters a thank offering. 3 To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to YHWH; And to depart from unrighteousness is an atoning slaughter. 4 See that you appear not in the face of YHWH empty-handed. 5 For all these things are to be done because of the commandment. 6 The offering of the righteous makes the anoints the altar; And the sweet savor thereof is before the Most High. 7 The slaughter of a righteous man is acceptable; And the memorial thereof will not be forgotten. 8 Glorify YHWH with a good eye, And diminish not the first fruits of your hands. 9 In every gift show a cheerful countenance, And dedicate your tithe with gladness. 10 Give to the Most High according as he has given; And as your hand has found, give with a good eye. 11 For YHWH recompenses, And he will recompense you seven-fold. 12 Do not offer him a bribe; for he will not accept them: And set not your mind on an unrighteous slaughter; For YHWH is judge, And with him is no partiality. 13 He will not show partiality against a poor man; And he will listen to the prayer of him that is wronged. 14 He will in no wise ignore the supplication of the fatherless; Nor the widow, when she pours out her story. 15 Do not the tears of the widow run down her cheek? And is not her cry against him that has caused them to fall? 16 He that serves Elohim according to his good pleasure will be accepted, And his supplication will reach to the clouds. 17 The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds; And till it come near, he will not be comforted; And he will not depart, till the Most High will visit; And he will judge righteously, and execute judgment.

Related Scriptures

Leviticus 25:35 If your brother has become low, and his hand can’t support himself among you, then you will uphold him. He will live with you like a sojourner and a settler. 36 Take no interest from him or increase; but fear your Elohim, that your brother may live among you. 37 You will not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for increase. 38 I am YHWH your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your Elohim.

Deuteronomy 23:19 You will not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest. 20 You may charge a foreigner interest; but you will not charge your brother interest, that YHWH your Elohim may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land where you go in to possess it.

Psalms 15:1 YHWH, who will dwell in your sanctuary? Who will live on your holy hill? 2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart; 3 he who doesn’t slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man; 4 in whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honors those who fear YHWH; he who swears [an oath] even when it hurts, and doesn’t change; 5 he who doesn’t lend out his silver in interest, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Proverbs 28:3 A dispossessed man who oppresses the helpless is like a driving rain which leaves no crops. 4 Those who forsake the Torah praise the wicked; but those who guard the Torah contend with them. 5 Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek YHWH understand it fully. 6 Better is the dispossessed who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich. 7 Whoever guards the Torah is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father. 8 He who makes his wealth greater by interest and increase, gathers it for one who has pity on the helpless.

Ezekiel 18:5 “But if a man is righteous, and does judgment and righteousness, 6 and has not eaten on the mountains, hasn’t lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hasn’t defiled his neighbor’s wife, hasn’t come near a woman in her separation, 7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment; 8 he who hasn’t lent to them with interest, hasn’t taken any increase from them, who has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true justice between man and man, 9 has walked in my statutes, and has kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he will surely live,” says the Lord YHWH. 10 “If he fathers a son who is a robber who sheds blood, and who does any one of these things, 11 or who does not do any of those things but has eaten at the mountain shrines and defiled his neighbor’s wife, 12 has wronged the afflicted and needy, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination, 13 has lent with interest, and has taken increase, will he then live? He will not live. He has done all these abominations. He will surely die. His blood will be on him.

Deuteronomy 15:1 At the end of seven years, you will release. 2 This is the word of the release: every master of a loan, his hand which he will lend with his neighbor, he will not drive from his neighbor and his brother, because YHWH’s release has been proclaimed. 3 Of a foreigner you may drive it; but whatever of yours is with your brother, your hand will release. 4 However there will be no needy among you, for YHWH will surely bless you in the land which YHWH your Elohim gives you for an inheritance to possess. 5 Only if you diligently listen to YHWH your Elohim’s voice, to guard to do all this commandment which I command you today. 6 For YHWH your Elohim will bless you, as he promised you, and you will cause an abundance of nations to make a pledge, but you will not make a pledge, and you will rule in the abundance of nations, but in you they will not rule. 7 If a needy, one of your brothers, is with you within any of your gates in your land which YHWH your Elohim gives you, you will not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your needy brother; 8 but you will surely open your hand to him, and will surely lend him sufficient for his lacking which will diminish for him. 9 Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,” and your eye be evil against your needy brother and you give him nothing; and he cry to YHWH against you, and it be sin to you. 10 You will surely give, and your heart will not be grieved when you give to him, because it is for this thing YHWH your Elohim will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to. 11 For the needy will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your afflicted, and to your needy, in your land.

Matthew 5:42 Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.

Luke 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again. 31 “As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. 36 “Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.

Psalms 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the afflicted and needy, to kill those who are upright on the path. 15 Their sword will enter into their own heart. Their bows will be broken. 16 Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but YHWH upholds the righteous. 18 YHWH knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance will be forever. 19 They will not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they will be satisfied. 20 But the wicked will perish. The enemies of YHWH will be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish— vanish like smoke. 21 The wicked borrow*, and don’t pay, but the righteous give generously. 22 For such as are blessed by him will inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him will be cut off. 23 A man’s steps are established by YHWH. He delights in his way. 24 Though he stumble, he will not fall, for YHWH holds him up with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his sons begging for bread. 26 All day long he deals graciously, and lends*. His seed is blessed.

Psalms 112:1 Halleluyah! Blessed is the man who fears YHWH, who delights greatly in his commandments. 2 His seed will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house. His righteousness endures forever. 4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous. 5 A good man shows favor and lends*. He will maintain his cause in judgment. 6 For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever. 7 He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in YHWH. 8 His heart is established. He will not be afraid in the end when he sees his adversaries. 9 He has dispersed, he has given to the needy. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor. 10 The wicked will see it, and be grieved. He will gnash with his teeth, and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish.

*Both borrow and lends use the same Hebrew word לוה lavah (H3867) – to join, be joined, to lend or borrow (in the sense of being joined through debt)

Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8 (T)

Matthew 26:6 Now when Yeshua was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8 But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” 10 However, knowing this, Yeshua said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me. 12 For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this wife has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.”

Mark 14:3 While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard—very costly. She broke the jar and poured it over his head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted? 5 For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” So they grumbled against her. 6 But Yeshua said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying. 9 Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this wife has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

John 12:1 Then, six days before the Passover, Yeshua came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. 3 Therefore Miriam took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Yeshua’s feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 4 Then Judah Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said, 5 “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it. 7 But Yeshua said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.”

Deuteronomy 24:10 When you lend your neighbor any kind of loan, you will not go into his house to get his pledge. 11 You will stand outside, and the man to whom you lend will bring the pledge outside to you. 12 If he is an afflicted man, you will not sleep with his pledge. 13 You will surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. It will be righteousness to you before YHWH your Elohim.

Job 22:5 Isn’t your wickedness great? Neither is there any end to your iniquities. 6 For you have taken pledges from your brother without cause, and stripped the naked of their clothing. 7 You haven’t given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.

23:1 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before Elohim in all good conscience until today.” 2 The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “Elohim will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the Torah, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Do you malign Elohim’s high priest?” 5 Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You will not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

14:5 A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.

Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false witness against Yeshua, that they might put him to death, 60 and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of Elohim, and to build it in three days.’ ”

Acts 6:8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. 10 They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and Elohim.” 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council, 13 and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the Torah. 14 For we have heard him say that this Yeshua of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

22:1 You will not see your brother’s ox or his sheep go astray and hide yourself from them. You will surely bring them again to your brother. 2 If your brother isn’t near to you, or if you don’t know him, then you will bring it home to your house, and it will be with you until your brother comes looking for it, and you will restore it to him. 3 So you will do with his donkey. So you will do with his garment. So you will do with every lost thing of your brother’s, which he has lost and you have found. You may not hide yourself. 4 You will not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide yourself from them. You will surely help him to lift them up again.

Philippians 2:1 If therefore there is any exhortation in Messiah, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, 2 make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

Matthew 12:9 He departed from there and went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it and lift it out? 12  Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” 13 Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how they might destroy him.

22:22 Don’t exploit the helpless because he is helpless; and don’t crush the afflicted in court; 23 for YHWH will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

Proverbs 17:15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to YHWH.

Proverbs 24:23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him, 25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.

Isaiah 5:22 Woe to those who are mighty to drink wine, and champions at mixing strong drink; 23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice for the innocent!

Deuteronomy 16:18 You will make judges and officers in all your gates, which YHWH your Elohim gives you, according to your tribes; and they will judge the people with righteous judgment. 19 You will not pervert justice. You will not show partiality. You will not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous. 20 You will follow that which is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which YHWH your Elohim gives you.

1 Samuel 8:1 When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Be’ersheba. 3 His sons didn’t walk in his ways, but turned away after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding. 8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning.

Leviticus 25:1 YHWH said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land will cease a Sabbath to YHWH. 3 You will sow your field six years, and you will prune your vineyard six years, and gather in its fruits; 4 but in the seventh year there will be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to YHWH. You will not sow your field or prune your vineyard. 5 What grows of itself in your harvest you will not reap, and you will not gather the grapes of your undressed vine. It will be a year of solemn rest for the land. 6 The Sabbath of the land will be for food for you; for yourself, for your servant, for your maid, for your hired-servant, and for your stranger, who sojourns with you. 7 For your livestock also, and for the animals that are in your land, will all its increase be for food.

Nehemiah 10:28 The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of Elohim, their wives, their sons, and their daughters—everyone who had knowledge and understanding— 29 joined with their brothers, their nobles, and entered into an oath and into a vow, to walk in Elohim’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of Elohim, and to observe and do all the commandments of YHWH our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes; 30 and that we would not give our daughters to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons; 31 and if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year crops and the exaction of every debt.

31:12 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Most certainly you will guard my Sabbaths; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am YHWH who sanctifies you. 14 You will guard the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it will surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul will be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days will work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to YHWH. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day will surely be put to death. 16 Therefore the sons of Israel will guard the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days YHWH made the heavens and land, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.’ ”

Joshua 23:6 “Therefore be very courageous to guard and to do all that is written in the book of the Torah of Moses, that you not turn away from it to the right hand or to the left; 7 that you not come among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their elohim, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow down yourselves to them; 8 but hold fast to YHWH your Elohim, as you have done to this day. 9 “For YHWH has driven great and strong nations out from before you. But as for you, no man has stood before you to this day. 10 One man of you will chase a thousand; for it is YHWH your Elohim who fights for you, as he spoke to you. 11 Diligently guard yourselves, that you love YHWH your Elohim. 12 “But if you do at all go back, and hold fast to the remnant of these nations, even these who remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in to them, and they to you; 13 know for a certainty that YHWH your Elohim will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight; but they will be a snare and a trap to you, a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which YHWH your Elohim has given you.

Psalms 16:1 Preserve me, Elohim, for I take refuge in you. 2 My soul, you have said to YHWH, “You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing.” 3 As for the saints who are in the land, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight. 4 Their sorrows will be multiplied who give gifts to another god. Their libation offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names on my lips.

Hosea 2:17 For I will take away the names of the Baalim out of her mouth, and they will no longer be mentioned by name.

Zechariah 13:1 “In that day there will be a fountain opened to David’s house and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. 2 It will come to pass in that day, says YHWH of Armies, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they will be remembered no more. I will also cause the prophets and the spirit of impurity to pass out of the land.

Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year all of your males will appear before YHWH your Elohim in the place which he chooses: in the feast of unleavened bread, in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths. They will not appear before YHWH empty. 17 Every man will give as he is able, according to YHWH your Elohim’s blessing which he has given you.

2 Chronicles 8:12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to YHWH on the altar of YHWH which he had built before the porch, 13 even as the duty of every day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts, three times per year, during the feast of unleavened bread, during the feast of weeks, and during the feast of booths

Luke 2:40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of Elohim was upon him. 41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Pesach. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast; 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Yeshua stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Deuteronomy 26:1 It will be, when you have come in to the land which YHWH your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, possess it, and dwell in it, 2 that you will take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you will bring in from your land that YHWH your Elohim gives you. You will put it in a basket, and will go to the place which YHWH your Elohim will choose to cause his name to dwell there. 3 You will come to the priest who will be in those days, and tell him, “I profess today to YHWH your Elohim, that I have come to the land which YHWH swore to our fathers to give us.” 4 The priest will take the basket out of your hand, and set it down before YHWH your Elohim’s altar. 5 You will answer and say before YHWH your Elohim, “My father was a Syrian ready to perish. He went down into Egypt, and lived there, few in number. There he became a great, mighty, and populous nation. 6 The Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us. 7 Then we cried to YHWH, the Elohim of our fathers. YHWH heard our voice, and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 YHWH brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, with great terror, with signs, and with wonders; 9 and he has brought us into this place, and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 Now, behold, I have brought the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, YHWH, have given me.” You will set it down before YHWH your Elohim, and worship before YHWH your Elohim. 11 You will rejoice in all the good which YHWH your Elohim has given to you, and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the foreigner who is among you.

Nehemiah 10:34 We, the priests, the Levites, and the people, cast lots for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our Elohim, according to our fathers’ houses, at times appointed year by year, to burn on YHWH our Elohim’s altar, as it is written in the law; 35 and to bring the first fruits of our ground and the first fruits of all fruit of all kinds of trees, year by year, to the house of YHWH; 36 also the firstborn of our sons and of our livestock, as it is written in the law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our Elohim, to the priests who minister in the house of our Elohim.

3:9 Honor YHWH with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase; 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Exodus 33:1 YHWH spoke to Moses, “Depart, go up from here, you and the people that you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your seed.’ 2 I will send an angel before you; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 3 Go to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you on the way.”

Joshua 5:13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?” 14 He said, “No; but I have come now as commander of YHWH’s army.” Joshua fell on his face to the land, and did bow down, and asked him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 The prince of YHWH’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals, for the place on which you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.

Exodus 14:23 The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the middle of the sea: all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 In the morning watch, YHWH looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army. 25 He took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, “Let’s flee from the face of Israel, for YHWH fights for them against the Egyptians!”

Joshua 10:7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and the whole army with him, including all the mighty men of valor. 8 YHWH said to Joshua, “Don’t fear them, for I have delivered them into your hands. Not a man of them will stand before you.” 9 Joshua therefore came to them suddenly. He marched from Gilgal all night. 10 YHWH confused them before Israel. He killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth Horon, and struck them to Azekah and to Makkedah. 11 As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth Horon, YHWH hurled down great stones from the heavens on them to Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword. 12 Then Joshua spoke to YHWH in the day when YHWH delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel. He said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!” 13 The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the heavens, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day. 14 There was no day like that before it or after it, that YHWH listened to the voice of a man; for YHWH fought for Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:20 Moreover YHWH your Elohim will send the hornet among them, until those who are left, and hide themselves, perish from before you. 21 You will not be scared of them; for YHWH your Elohim is among you, a great and awesome Elohim. 22 YHWH your Elohim will cast out those nations before you little by little. You may not consume them at once, lest the animals of the field increase on you. 23 But YHWH your Elohim will deliver them up before you, and will confuse them with a great confusion, until they are destroyed. 24 He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will make their name perish from under the heavens. No one will be able to stand before you until you have destroyed them.

Joshua 24:11 “You went over the Jordan, and came to Jericho. The men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Girgashite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I delivered them into your hand. 12 I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; not with your sword, nor with your bow. 13 I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and cities which you didn’t build, and you live in them. You eat of vineyards and olive groves which you didn’t plant.”

34:1 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the sons of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that will fall to you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders), 3 then your south quarter will be from the wilderness of Zin along by the side of Edom, and your south border will be from the end of the Salt Sea eastward. 4 Your border will turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and it will pass southward of Kadesh Barnea; and it will go from there to Hazar Addar, and pass along to Azmon. 5 The border will turn about from Azmon to the brook of Egypt, and it will end at the sea. 6 For the western border, you will have the great sea and its border. This will be your west border. 7 This will be your north border: from the great sea you will mark out for yourselves Mount Hor. 8 From Mount Hor you will mark out to the entrance of Hamath; and the border will pass by Zedad. 9 Then the border will go to Ziphron, and it will end at Hazar Enan. This will be your north border. 10 You will mark out your east border from Hazar Enan to Shepham. 11 The border will go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain. The border will go down, and will reach to the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward. 12 The border will go down to the Jordan, and end at the Salt Sea. This will be your land according to its borders around it.’ ”

Joshua 23:11 Diligently guard yourselves, that you love YHWH your Elohim. 12 “But if you do at all go back, and hold fast to the remnant of these nations, even these who remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in to them, and they to you; 13 know for a certainty that YHWH your Elohim will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight; but they will be a snare and a trap to you, a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which YHWH your Elohim has given you.

Judges 2:1 the angel of YHWH came up from Gilgal to Bochim. He said, “I brought you out of Egypt, and have brought you to the land which I swore to give your fathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you. 2 You will make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You will break down their altars.’ But you have not listened to my voice. Why have you done this? 3 Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out from before you; but they will be in your sides, and their elohim will be a snare to you.’ ” 4 When the angel of YHWH spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people lifted up their voice and wept.

Luke 2:25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Shimon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.† 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Yeshua, that they might do concerning him according to the requirement of the Torah, 28 then he received him into his arms and blessed Elohim, and said, 29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; 32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him.

John 12:42 Nevertheless, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, 43 for they loved men’s praise more than Elohim’s praise. 44 Yeshua cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. 45 He who sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.

Acts 13:42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Nations begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of Elohim. 44 The next Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of Elohim. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with zeal, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. 46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that Elohim’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from yourselves, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Nations. 47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you as a light for the Nations, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the land.’ ” 48 As the Nations heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of Elohim. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders. 51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 26:1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense. 2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you today concerning all the things that I am accused by the Judeans, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. 4 “Indeed, all Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 5 having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by Elohim to our fathers, 7 which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Judeans, King Agrippa! 8 Why is it judged incredible with you if Elohim does raise the dead? 9 “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Yeshua of Nazareth. 10 I also did this in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the holy ones in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. 11 Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 12 “Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the heavens, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me. 14 When we had all fallen to the land, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Yeshua, whom you are persecuting. 16 But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will reveal to you; 17 delivering you from the people and from the Nations, to whom I send you, 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to Elohim, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Nations, that they should repent and turn to Elohim, doing works worthy of repentance. 21 For this reason Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained the help that is from Elohim, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said would happen, 23 how the Messiah must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Nations.”

14:31 He who oppresses the helpless shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.

Deuteronomy 15:7 If a needy man, one of your brothers, is with you within any of your gates in your land which YHWH your Elohim gives you, you will not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your needy brother; 8 but you will surely open your hand to him, and will surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks. 9 Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,” and your eye be evil against your needy brother and you give him nothing; and he cry to YHWH against you, and it be sin to you. 10 You will surely give, and your heart will not be grieved when you give to him, because it is for this thing YHWH your Elohim will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to. 11 For the needy will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your afflicted, and to your needy, in your land.

Proverbs 22:7 The rich rule over the dispossessed. The borrower is servant to the man that lends. 8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9 He who has a good eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the helpless.

Proverbs 22:7 Septuagint (Septuagint) The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.

Proverbs 22:7 Hebrew w/ Transliteration
עָשִׁיר בְּרָשִׁים יִמְשׁוֹל וְעֶבֶד לֹוֶה לְאִישׁ מַלְוֶה
Transliteration: Ashir be’rashim yimshol ve’eved loveh le’ish malveh
Translation: The rich rule over the dispossessed and the servant lends to the man who lends.

Luke 11:33 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. 34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is sincere, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness. 35 Therefore see whether the light that is in you isn’t darkness. 36 If therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light.” 37 Now as he spoke, a certain Pharisee asked him to dine with him. He went in and sat at the table. 38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed himself before dinner. 39 The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. 40 You foolish ones, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you. 42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and Elohim’s love. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don’t know it.”

Matthew 6:19 “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the land, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in the heavens, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sincere, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both Elohim and Mammon. 25 Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 See the birds of the heavens, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your the heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? 27 “Which of you by being anxious, can add one cubit to his stature? 28 Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, 29 yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. 30 But if Elohim so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith? 31 “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ 32 For the Nations seek after all these things; for your the heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the reign of Elohim and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

Luke 12:13 One of the multitude said to him, “Rabbi, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.” 16 He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly. 17 He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’ 18 He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” ‘ 20 “But Elohim said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward Elohim.” 22 He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they don’t sow, they don’t reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and Elohim feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! 25 Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit‡ to his height? 26 If then you aren’t able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if this is how Elohim clothes the grass in the field, which today exists and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? 29 “Don’t seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. 30 For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the reign of Elohim, and all these things will be added to you. 32 “Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Reign. 33 Sell what you have and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn’t fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 20:1 “For the reign of the heavens is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. 4 He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’ 7 “They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ “He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.’ 8 “When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.’ 9 “When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius. 10 When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they murmured against the owner of the household, 12 saying, ‘These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!’ 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you. 15 Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Related Additional Readings​

Frag. 2 Col. 1 […] from the company of those who seek […] [… a net] they have set to catch me and pursued [my soul…] [… “may] their ſsword enter] their own heart, and may their bows shatter” (Psalms 37:15) […] [for all] this I will bless Your name during my life for You have delivered me from […] […] and Your kindnesses are a shield around me and You protected my life among the Nations […] […] You have thrown my foes into confusion. I did not forget Your laws when my soul was in distress. Of Your kindness, You did not turn from me; You looked pityingly on all my suffering. My sins […] envelops my spirit. When I was in distress You heard my voice. “In Your quiver You [hid me] […] me, You made me a polished arrow” (Isaiah 49:2). You hid me in the shelter of Your palms and […] [from the river] You saved me from drowning, from [sinking in] a stream of Nations […] You brought me up out of the grave […] You gave me new life […] […] before me, and You comforted me through the seed of righteousness. You [will judge me] by a cord, You have made […] rejoice […] life with his spirit.

I will bless the Lord with [all my soul]. […] Lord, I remember You, You are my heart’s support, my hope [is for Your deliverance… Your commandments] I call to mind that my heart may exult in You. You have given me [victory and in] thirst [given me water…] I speak always of Your great deeds, “I call You to mind on [my bed] in the watches [of the night” (Psalms 63:6)…]

The above excerpt is from Wise, Michael Owen, et al. The Dead Sea Scrolls: a New Translation. HarperSanFrancisco, 2005.

The Wisdom of Solomon or Book of Wisdom is a Jewish work, written in Greek, and most likely composed in Alexandria, Egypt. Generally dated to the mid first century B.C. It is uncertain whether the book has a single author or comes from a school of writers, but recent scholarship has favored regarding it as a unified work. Fragments of the Wisdom of Solomon were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in the first discovered and excavated cave at Qumran in 1949.

2:1 For they said within themselves, with unsound reasoning, “Our life is short and sorrowful. There is no healing when a man comes to his end, and no one was ever known who was released from Hades. 2 Because we were born by mere chance, and hereafter we will be as though we had never been, because the breath in our nostrils is smoke, and reason is a spark kindled by the beating of our heart, 3 which being extinguished, the body will be turned into ashes, and the spirit will be dispersed as thin air. 4 Our name will be forgotten in time. No one will remember our works. Our life will pass away as the traces of a cloud, and will be scattered as is a mist, when it is chased by the rays of the sun, and overcome by its heat. 5 For our allotted time is the passing of a shadow, and our end doesn’t retreat, because it is securely sealed, and no one§ turns it back. 6 “Come therefore and let’s enjoy the good things that exist. Let’s use the creation earnestly as in our youth. 7 Let’s fill ourselves with costly wine and perfumes, and let no Spring flower pass us by. 8 Let’s crown ourselves with rosebuds before they wither. 9 Let none of us go without his share in our proud revelry. Let’s leave tokens of mirth everywhere, because this is our portion, and this is our lot. 10 Let’s oppress the righteous poor. Let’s not spare the widow, nor reverence the gray hair of the bearded man. 11 But let our strength be a law of righteousness; for that which is weak is proven useless. 12 But let’s lie in wait for the righteous man, because he annoys us, is contrary to our works, reproaches us with sins against the law, and charges us with sins against our training. 13 He professes to have knowledge of Elohim, and calls himself a child of the Lord. 14 He became to us a reproof of our thoughts. 15 He is grievous to us even to look at, because his life is unlike other men’s, and his paths are strange. 16 We were regarded by him as worthless metal, and he abstains from our ways as from uncleanness. He calls the latter end of the righteous happy. He boasts that Elohim is his father. 17 Let’s see if his words are true. Let’s test what will happen at the end of his life. 18 For if the righteous man is Elohim’s son, he will uphold him, and he will deliver him out of the hand of his adversaries. 19 Let’s test him with outrage and torture, that we may find out how gentle he is, and test his patience. 20 Let’s condemn him to a shameful death, for he will be overseen according to his words.” 21 Thus they reasoned, and they were led astray; for their wickedness blinded them, 22 and they didn’t know the mysteries of Elohim, neither did they hope for wages of holiness, nor did they discern that there is a prize for blameless souls. 23 Because Elohim created man for incorruption, and made him an image of his own everlastingness; 24 but death entered into the world by the envy of the devil, and those who belong to him experience it.

The History of Susanna is translated from chapter 13 of Daniel in the Greek Septuagint. It is not found in the traditional Hebrew text of Daniel. The History of Susanna is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Russian Orthodox Churches.

13:1 A man lived in Babylon, and his name was Joakim. 2 He took a woman, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Helkias, a very fair woman, and one who feared the Lord. 3 Her parents were also righteous, and taught their daughter according to the Torah of Moses. 4 Now Joakim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining to his house. The Jews used to come to him, because he was more honorable than all others. 5 The same year two of the elders of the people were appointed to be judges, such as the Lord spoke of, that wickedness came from Babylon from elders who were judges, who were supposed to govern the people. 6 These were often at Joakim’s house. All that had any suits in law came to them. 7 When the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband’s garden to walk. 8 The two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; and they were inflamed with coveting for her. 9 They perverted their own mind and turned away their eyes, that they might not look to the heavens, nor remember just judgments. 10 And although they both were wounded with coveting for her, yet dared not show the other his grief. 11 For they were ashamed to declare their coveting, that they desired to have to do with her. 12 Yet they watched with zeal from day to day to see her. 13 The one said to the other, “Let’s go home, now; for it is dinner time.” 14 So when they had gone out, they parted company, and turning back again, they came to the same place. After they had asked one another the cause, they acknowledged their coveting. Then they appointed a time both together, when they might find her alone. 15 It happened, as they watched on an opportune day, she went in as before with only two maids, and she desired to wash herself in the garden; for it was hot. 16 There was nobody there except the two elders who had hid themselves and watched her. 17 Then she said to her maids, “Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash myself.” 18 They did as she asked them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at the side doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them. They didn’t see the elders, because they were hidden. 19 Now when the maids had gone out, the two elders rose up, and ran to her, saying, 20 “Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with you. Therefore consent to us, and lie with us. 21 If you will not, we will testify against you, that a young man was with you; therefore you sent your maids away from you.” 22 Then Susanna sighed, and said, “I am trapped; for if I do this thing, it is death to me. If I don’t do it, I can’t escape your hands. 23 It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.” 24 With that Susanna cried with a loud voice; and the two elders cried out against her. 25 Then one of them ran and opened the garden doors. 26 So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the side door, to see what had happened to her. 27 But when the elders had told their tale, the servants were greatly ashamed; for there was never such a report made of Susanna. 28 It came to pass on the next day, when the people assembled to her husband Joakim, the two elders came full of their wicked intent against Susanna to put her to death, 29 and said before the people, “Send for Susanna, the daughter of Helkias, Joakim’s wife.” So they sent; 30 and she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred. 31 Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beautiful to behold. 32 These wicked men commanded her to be unveiled, for she was veiled, that they might be filled with her beauty. 33 Therefore her friends and all who saw her wept. 34 Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head. 35 She, weeping, looked up toward the heavens; for her heart trusted in the Lord. 36 The elders said, “As we walked in the garden alone, this wife came in with two maids, shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away. 37 Then a young man, who was hidden there, came to her and lay with her. 38 And we, being in a corner of the garden, saw this wickedness and ran to them. 39 And when we saw them together, we couldn’t hold the man; for he was stronger than we, and opened the doors, and leaped out. 40 But having taken this wife, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us. We testify these things. 41 Then the assembly believed them, as those who were elders of the people and judges; so they condemned her to death. 42 Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, “O everlasting Elohim, you know the secrets, and know all things before they happen, 43 you know that they have witnessed falsely against me. Behold, I must die, even though I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.” 44 The Lord heard her voice. 45 Therefore when she was led away to be put to death, Elohim raised up the holy spirit of a young youth, whose name was Daniel. 46 He cried with a loud voice, “I am clear from the blood of this wife!” 47 Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, “What do these words that you have spoken mean?” 48 So he, standing in the midst of them, said, “Are you all such fools, you sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth you have condemned a daughter of Israel? 49 Return again to the place of judgment; for these have witnessed falsely against her.” 50 Therefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said to him, “Come, sit down among us, and show it to us, seeing Elohim has given you the honor of an elder.” 51 Then Daniel said to them, “Put them far apart from each another, and I will examine them.” 52 So when they were put apart one from another, he called one of them, and said to him, “O you who have become old in wickedness, now your sins have returned which you have committed before, 53 in pronouncing unjust judgment, condemning the innocent, and letting the guilty go free; although the Lord says, ‘You will not kill the innocent and righteous.’ 54 Now then, if you saw her, tell me, under which tree did you see them companying together?” He answered, “Under a mastick tree.” 55 And Daniel said, “You have certainly lied against your own head; for even now the angel of Elohim has received the sentence of Elohim and will cut you in two.” 56 So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said to him, “O you seed of Canaan, and not of Judah, beauty has deceived you, and coveting has perverted your heart. 57 Thus you have dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear were intimate with you; but the daughter of Judah would not tolerate your wickedness. 58 Now therefore tell me, under which tree did you take them being intimate together?” He answered, “Under an evergreen oak tree.” 59 Then Daniel said to him, “You have also certainly lied against your own head; for the angel of Elohim waits with the sword to cut you in two, that he may destroy you.” 60 With that, all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and blessed Elohim, who saves those who hope in him. 61 Then they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness out of their own mouth. 62 According to the Torah of Moses they did to them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbor (cf. Deuteronomy 19:15-19). They put them to death, and the innocent blood was saved the same day. 63 Therefore Helkias and his wife praised Elohim for their daughter Susanna, with Joakim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her. 64 And from that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people.

3.5.6. Now when the multitude had heard Elohim himself giving those precepts which Moses had discoursed of, they rejoiced at what was said; and the congregation was dissolved: but on the following days they came to his tent, and desired him to bring them, besides, other laws from Elohim. Accordingly he appointed such laws, and afterwards informed them in what manner they should act in all cases; which laws I will make mention of in their proper time; but I will reserve most of those laws for another work, and make there a distinct explication of them.