• Torah (T): Wayiqra (Leviticus) 1:1 – 2:16
• Prophets (P): Isaiah 48:12 – 49:3
• Apostolic (A): Ephesians 5:1-10
• Additional (ADD): Wisdom of Solomon 18:13-25

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Hosea 6:4-7 (T)
• 2 Chronicles 23:18 (T)
• Malachi 1:6-14 (T)
• Romans 12:1-3 (T)
• Philippians 4:18 (T)
• Genesis 6:9; Genesis 17:1-2; Job 1:1; Job 2:3; Psalms 15:1-5; Psalms 18:20-24; Psalms 84:10-12; Psalms 101:1-8; Psalms 119:1-3; Proverbs 28:18; Matthew 5:43-48 (T)
• Ephesians 1:3-4;  Ephesians 5:25-33; Colossians 1:22-23; 1 Peter 1:13-21;  Jude 1:17-25;  Revelation 14:1-5 (T)
• Hebrews 5:1-14 (T)
• Hebrews 9:1-14 (T)
• Psalms 51:15-17 (T)
• Psalms 119:108 (T)
• Jeremiah 14:10-12 (T)
• Ezekiel 20:39-41 (T)
• Hosea 8:1-14 (T)
• Amos 5:21-27 (T)
• Micah 6:6-8 (T)
• 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (T)
• Psalms 40:6-8 (T)
• Hebrews 10:1-10 (T)
• 1 John 2:1-6 (T)
• Exodus 30:34-35 (T)
• Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:33-50; Luke 14:25-35 (T)
• Colossians 4:1-6 (T)
• Deuteronomy 26:1-2; Joshua 5:1-12 (T)
• Amos 4:4-5 (T)
• Isaiah 44:6 (T)
• Revelation 1:1-20 (P)
• Revelation 22:1-21 (P)
• Jeremiah 50:8-20; Jeremiah 51:6-64 (P)
• Revelation 18:1-24 (P)
• Numbers 20:11; Deuteronomy 8:15; Psalms 74:15; Psalms 78:14-22; Psalms 105:41; 1 Corinthians 10:4 (P)
• Isaiah 41:1-5 (P)
• Genesis 10:2-5 (P)
• Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:16 (P)
• Galatians 5:16-25 (A)
• Revelation 22:14-15 (A)
• Colossians 3:5-11 (A)

RELATED ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Sirach 31:1-8 (T)
• Sirach 35:1-7 (T)
• Sirach 40:19 (T)
• Sirach 44:17-18 (T)
• Wisdom 2:22-24 (T)
• 1 Maccabees 4:41-43 (T)
• Greek Additions to Esther 16:1-24 (T)
• In Praise of Elohim’s Grace 4Q437 Fragment 1, Column 1 (P)
• Leviticus 1:1 – 2:16 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)
• Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus 3.9.1-4 (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)

1:1 And YHWH called to Moses, and spoke to him from the Appointed Tent, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them, ‘When anyone of you brings an offering to YHWH, you will bring your offering of the livestock, from the herd and from the flock. 3 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he will bring a male, a perfect one. He will bring it to the door of the Appointed Tent, that he may be accepted before YHWH. 4 He will lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted for him to make atonement for him. 5 He will kill the bull before YHWH. Aaron’s sons, the priests, will present the blood and sprinkle the blood around on the altar that is at the door of the Appointed Tent. 6 He will skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. 7 The sons of Aaron the priest will put fire on the altar, and lay wood in order on the fire; 8 and Aaron’s sons, the priests, will lay the pieces, the head, and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar; 9 but he will wash its innards and its legs with water. The priest will burn all of it on the altar, for a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to YHWH. 10 If his offering is from the flock [to YHWH],^(LXX)(SP) from the sheep or from the goats, for a burnt offering, he will bring a male, a perfect one. [And he will place his hand upon its head.]^(LXX) 11 [And they]^(DSS) will kill it on the north side of the altar before YHWH. Aaron’s sons, the priests, will sprinkle [the]^(DSS) blood around on the altar. 12 He will cut it into its pieces, with its head and its fat. The priest will lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar, 13 but the innards and the legs he will wash with water. The priest will bring the whole, and burn it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to YHWH. 14 If his offering to YHWH is a burnt offering of birds, then he will bring his offering from turtledoves or of sons of a dove. 15 The priest will bring it to the altar, and wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; and its blood will be drained out on the side of the altar; 16 and he will take away its crop and its feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, in the place of the ashes. 17 He will tear it by its wings, but will not divide it apart. The priest will burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to YHWH.

2:1 When anyone brings an offering of a grain offering to YHWH, his offering will be of fine flour. He will pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it. [It is a grain offering]^(DSS)(SP) 2 He will bring it to Aaron’s sons, the priests. He will take his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense, and the priest will burn its memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to YHWH. 3 That which is left of the grain offering will be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is a most holy part of the offerings of YHWH. 4 When you bring an offering of a grain offering baked in the oven, it will be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil. 5 If your offering is a grain offering made on a griddle, it will be of unleavened fine flour, mixed with oil. 6 You will cut it in pieces, and pour oil on it. It is a grain offering. 7 If your offering is a grain offering of the pan, it will be made of fine flour with oil. 8 [And he will bring]^(DSS) the grain offering [which he will make]^(LXX) of these things to YHWH. It will be presented to the priest, and he will bring it to the altar. 9 The priest will take from the grain offering its memorial, and will burn it on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to YHWH. 10 That which is left of the grain offering will be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is a most holy part of the offerings of YHWH made by fire. 11 No grain offering which you will bring to YHWH will be made with leaven; for you will burn no leaven, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire to YHWH. 12 As an offering of first fruits you will bring them to YHWH, but they will not rise up as a pleasant aroma on the altar. 13 Every offering of your grain offering you will season with salt. You will not allow the salt of the covenant of [YHWH]^(LXX) to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you will bring salt. 14 [And when]^(DSS) you bring a grain offering of first fruits to YHWH, you will bring for the grain offering of your first fruits fresh heads of grain parched with fire and crushed. 15 You will put oil on it and lay frankincense on it. It is a grain offering. 16 The priest will burn as its memorial part of its crushed grain and part of its oil, along with all its frankincense. It is an offering made by fire to YHWH.

Prophets Portion (P)

48:12 “Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel my called: I am he. I am the first. I am also the last. 13 Yes, my hand has laid the foundation of the land, and my right hand has spread out the heavens. when I call to them, they stand up together. 14 “[Let all of them assemble]^(LXX) and hear! Who among them has declared these things? He whom YHWH loves will do what he likes to Babylon, [to lift away the seed of the Kasdim].^(LXX) 15 I, even I, have spoken. Yes, I have called him. I have brought him and he will make his way prosperous. 16 “Come near to me and hear this: “From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it happened, I was there.” Now [YHWH]^(LXX) has sent me with his Spirit. 17 YHWH, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: “I am [your Elohim],^(LXX) who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way that you should go. 18 [But]^(LXX) would that you had listened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. 19 Your seed also would have been as the sand and the descendants of your body like its grains. His name would not be cut off nor destroyed from before me.” 20 Leave Babylon! Flee from the Kasdim! With a voice of singing announce this, tell it even to the end of the land; say, “YHWH has redeemed his servant Jacob!” 21 They didn’t thirst when he led them through the deserts. He caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them. He also split the rock and the waters gushed out. 22 “There is no peace”, says YHWH, “for the wicked.”

49:1 Listen, islands, to me. Listen, you [nations],^(LXX) 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.”

Apostolic Portion (A)

5:1 Be therefore imitators of Elohim, as beloved children. 2 Walk in love, even as Messiah also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a slaughter to Elohim for a sweet-smelling fragrance. 3 But whoring, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes holy ones; 4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks. 5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Reign of Messiah and Elohim. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of Elohim comes on the children of disobedience. 7 Therefore don’t be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the [light]^{(NU-Text)(mss)} is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, 10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.

Additional Portion (ADD)

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.

18:13 For while they were disbelieving all things by reason of the enchantments, upon the destruction of the firstborn they confessed the people to be Elohim’s son. 14 For while peaceful silence wrapped all things, and night in her own swiftness was in mid course, 15 your all-powerful word leaped from the heavens out of the royal thrones, a stern warrior, into the midst of the doomed land, 16 bearing as a sharp sword your authentic commandment, and standing, it filled all things with death, and while it touched the heavens it stood upon the land. 17 Then immediately apparitions in dreams terribly troubled them, and unexpected fears came upon them. 18 And each, one thrown here half dead, another there, made known why he was dying; 19 for the dreams, disturbing them, forewarned them of this, that they might not perish without knowing why they were afflicted. 20 But experience of death also touched the righteous, and a multitude were destroyed in the wilderness, however the wrath didn’t last long. 21 For an unblemished man hurried to be their champion, bringing the weapon of his own service, prayer and the atoning slaughter of incense, he withstood the indignation, and set an end to the calamity, showing that he was your servant. 22 And he overcame the anger, not by strength of body, not by force of weapons, but he subdued him who was punishing by word, by bringing to remembrance oaths and covenants made with the fathers. 23 For when the dead had already fallen in heaps one upon another, standing between he stopped the wrath, and cut off the way to the living. 24 For the whole world was upon his tunic, and the glories of the fathers were upon the engraving of the four rows of precious stones, and your majesty was upon the diadem of his head. 25 The destroyer yielded to these, and they feared; for it was enough only to test the wrath.

Related Scriptures

6:4 “Ephraim, what will I do to you? Judah, what will I do to you? For your love is like a morning cloud, and like the dew that disappears early. 5 Therefore I have cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth. Your judgments are like a flash of lightning. 6 For I desire mercy, and not slaughter; and the knowledge of Elohim more than burnt offerings. 7 But they, like Adam, have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me there.

23:18 Jehoiada appointed the officers of the house of YHWH under the hand of the priests, the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of YHWH, to cause burnt offerings of YHWH to ascend, as it is written in the Torah of Moses, with rejoicing and with song, by the hands of David.

1:6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says YHWH of Armies to you priests who despise my name. “You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 You bring near polluted bread on my altar. You say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ In that you say, ‘the table of YHWH is contemptible.’ 8 When you bring near the blind for slaughter, isn’t that evil? And when you bring the lame and sick, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?” says YHWH of Armies. 9 “Now, please entreat the favor of Elohim, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?” says YHWH of Armies. 10 “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you,” says YHWH of Armies, “neither will I accept an offering at your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun even to its going down, my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations,” says YHWH of Armies. 12 “But you profane it when you say, ‘the table of YHWH is polluted, and its fruit, even its food, is contemptible.’ 13 You say also, ‘Behold, what a weariness it is!’ And you have sniffed at it”, says YHWH of Armies; “and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this at your hand?” says YHWH. 14 “But the deceiver is cursed who has in his flock a male, and vows and slaughters to the Lord a defective thing; for I am a great King,” says YHWH of Armies, “and my name is awesome among the nations.”

12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of Elohim, to present your bodies a living slaughter, holy, well-pleasing to Elohim, your logical service. 2 And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, [in the examining of yourselves] in what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of Elohim.

4:18 But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing slaughter to Elohim.

Genesis 6:9 This is the history of the generations of Noaḥ: Noaḥ was a righteous man, perfect among the people of his time. Noaḥ walked with Elohim.

Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, YHWH appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai. Walk before me and be perfect. I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was perfect and upright, and one who feared Elohim, and turned away from evil…2:3 YHWH said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him in the land, a perfect and an upright man, one who fears Elohim, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause.”

Psalms 15:1 YHWH, who will dwell in your sanctuary? Who will live on your holy hill? 2 He who walks [perfectly] 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 keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change; 5 he who doesn’t give his money for interest, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Psalms 18:20 YHWH has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands, he has recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of YHWH, and have not wickedly departed from my Elohim. 22 For all his judgments were before me. I didn’t put away his statutes from me. 23 I was also perfect with him. I kept myself from my iniquity. 24 Therefore YHWH has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

Psalms 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my Elohim, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For YHWH Elohim is a sun and a shield. YHWH will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk [perfectly]. 12 YHWH of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalms 101:1 I will sing of loving kindness and justice. To you, YHWH, I will sing praises. 2 I will be careful to live a perfect life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me. 4 A perverse heart will be far from me. I will have nothing to do with evil. 5 I will silence whoever secretly slanders his neighbor. I won’t tolerate one who is arrogant and conceited. 6 My eyes will be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he will serve me. 7 He who practices deceit won’t dwell within my house. He who speaks falsehood won’t be established before my eyes. 8 Morning by morning, I will destroy all the wicked of the land, to cut off all the workers of iniquity from YHWH’s city.

Psalms 119:1 Blessed are those whose ways are perfect, who walk according to the Torah of YHWH. 2 Blessed are those who guard his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart. 3 Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.

Proverbs 28:18 Whoever walks [perfectly] is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You will love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father who is in the heavens. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 48 Therefore you will be perfect, just as your Father in the heavens is perfect.”

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Messiah, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and unblemished before him in love

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Messiah also loved the assembly and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and unblemished. 28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own woman loves himself. 29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly, 30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. 31 “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one flesh.” (cf. Genesis 2:24) 32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Messiah and the assembly. 33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own woman even as himself; and let the woman see that she respects her husband.

Colossians 1:22 yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblemished and unreproveable before him, 23 if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under the heavens, of which I, Paul, was made a servant.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, having girded up the hips of your mind, being sober, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah— 14 as sons of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former coveting as in your ignorance, 15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior, 16 because it is written, “You will be holy, for I am holy.” (cf. Leviticus 11:44-45) 17 If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear, 18 knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things like silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Messiah, 20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in this last age for your sake, 21 who through him are believers in Elohim, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in Elohim.

Jude 1:17  But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the emissaries of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own impious coveting.” 19 These are those who cause divisions and are sensual, not having the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in Elohim’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah to eternal life. 22 On some have compassion, making a distinction, 23 and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. 24 Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you unblemished before the face of his glory in great joy, 25 to Elohim our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

Revelation 14:1-5 I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. 2 I heard a sound from the heavens like the sound of many waters and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. 3 They sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the land. 4 These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Yeshua from among men, the first fruits to Elohim and to the Lamb. 5 In their mouth was found no lie, for they are unblemished.

5:1 For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to Elohim, that he may offer both gifts and slaughters for sins. 2 The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. 3 Because of this, he must offer slaughters for sins for the people, as well as for himself. 4 Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by Elohim, just like Aaron was. 5 So also Messiah didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.” (cf. Psalms 2:7) 6 As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (cf. Psalms 110:4) 7 He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his pious fear, 8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. 9 Having been made [perfect], he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, 10 named by Elohim a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. 11 About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. 12 For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of Elohim. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. 14 But solid food is for those who are [perfect], who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

9:1 Now indeed even the first [tabernacle] had ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first was the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the presence, which is called the Holy Place. 3 After the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the witness overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it keruvim of glory overshadowing the lid, of which things we can’t speak now in detail. 6 Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services, 7 but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people. 8 The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn’t yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and slaughters are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshiper perfect, 10 being only (with foods and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation. 11 But Messiah having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to Elohim, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim?

51:15 Lord, open my lips. My mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you don’t delight in slaughter, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering. 17 The slaughters of Elohim are a broken spirit. O Elohim, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.

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

14:10 YHWH says to this people: “Even so they have loved to wander. They have not restrained their feet. Therefore YHWH does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity, and punish them for their sins.” 11 YHWH said to me, “Don’t pray for this people for their good. 12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they cause burnt offering and grain offering to ascend, I will not accept them; but I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.”

39 As for you, house of Israel, the Lord YHWH says: “Go, everyone serve his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not listen to me; but you will no more profane my holy name with your gifts and with your idols. 40 For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel,” says the Lord YHWH, “there all the house of Israel, all of them, will serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the first fruits of your offerings, with all your holy. 41 I will accept you as a pleasant aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries in which you have been scattered. I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.

8:1 “Put the trumpet to your lips! Something like an eagle is over the house of YHWH, because they have broken my covenant and rebelled against my Torah. 2 They cry to me, ‘My Elohim, we, Israel, acknowledge you!’ 3 Israel has cast off that which is good. The enemy will pursue him. 4 They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I didn’t approve. Of their silver and their gold they have made themselves idols, that they may be cut off. 5 Let Samaria throw out his calf idol! My anger burns against them! How long will it be until they are capable of purity? 6 For this is even from Israel! The workman made it, and it is no Elohim; indeed, the calf of Samaria will be broken in pieces. 7 For they sow the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind. He has no standing grain. The stalk will yield no head. If it does yield, strangers will swallow it up. 8 Israel is swallowed up. Now they are among the nations like a worthless thing. 9 For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has hired lovers for himself. 10 But although they sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them; and they begin to waste away because of the oppression of the king of mighty ones. 11 Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they became for him altars for sinning. 12 I wrote for him the many things of my Torah, but they were regarded as a strange thing. 13 As for the slaughters of my offerings, they slaughter meat and eat it, but YHWH doesn’t accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity, and punish their sins. They will return to Egypt. 14 For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces; and Judah has multiplied fortified cities; but I will send a fire on his cities, and it will devour its fortresses.”

5:21 I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can’t stand your solemn assemblies. 22 Yes, though you cause burnt offerings and grain offerings to ascend to me, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat animals. 23 Take away from me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream. 25 “Did you bring to me slaughters and offerings in the wilderness forty years, house of Israel? 26 You also carried the tent of your king and the shrine of your images, the star of your elohim, which you made for yourselves. 27 Therefore I will cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus,” says YHWH, whose name is the Elohim of Armies.

6:6 How will I come before YHWH, and bow myself before the exalted Elohim? Will I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will YHWH be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Will I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does YHWH require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim?

15:22 Samuel said, “Has YHWH as great delight in burnt offerings and slaughters, as in obeying the voice of YHWH? Behold, to obey is better than slaughter, and to listen than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected the word of YHWH, he has also rejected you from being king.”

40:6 slaughter and offering you didn’t desire [but a body you prepared for me].^(LXX) You have not required burnt offering and sin offering. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll. 8 I delight to do your will, [Elohim].^(LXX) Yes, your Torah is within my heart.”

10:1 For the Torah, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same slaughters year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins? 3 But in those slaughters there is a yearly reminder of sins. 4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. 5 Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, “You didn’t desire slaughter and offering, but you prepared a body for me. 6 You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and slaughters for sin. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come. In the scroll of the book it is written of me to do your will, O Elohim.’ ” 8 Previously saying, “slaughters and offerings and whole burnt offerings and slaughters for sin you didn’t desire, neither had pleasure in them” those which are offered according to the Torah, 9 then he has said, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He takes away the first, that he may establish the second, 10 by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Yeshua the Messiah once for all.

2:1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Comforter with the Father, Yeshua the Messiah, the righteous. 2 And he is the atoning slaughter for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. 3 This is how we know that we know him: if we guard his commandments. 4 One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t guard his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. 5 But Elohim’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever guards his word. This is how we know that we are in him: 6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

30:34 YHWH said to Moses, “Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, onycha, and galbanum: sweet spices with pure frankincense. There will be an equal weight of each. 35 You will make incense of it, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy.

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the land, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.”

Mark 9:33 He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for they had disputed with one another on the way about who was the greatest. 35 He sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he will be last of all, and servant of all.” 36 He took a little child and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.” 38 John said to him, “Rabbi, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.” 39 But Yeshua said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name because you are Messiah’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward. 42 “Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehinnom, into the unquenchable fire, 44 [… …] 45 If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehinnom, into the fire that will never be quenched— 46 [… …] 47 If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. It is better for you to enter into the reign of Elohim with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehinnom of fire, 48 ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire, and every slaughter will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Luke 14:25 Now great multitudes were going with him. He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t hate his own father, mother, woman, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. 27 Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross and come after me, can’t be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation and isn’t able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an envoy and asks for conditions of peace. 33 So therefore, whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple. 34 “Salt is good, but if the salt becomes flat and tasteless, with what do you season it? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

4:1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in the heavens. 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, 3 praying together for us also, that Elohim may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Messiah, for which I am also in bonds, 4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

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.

Joshua 5:1 When all the kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, who were by the sea, heard how YHWH had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the sons of Israel until we had crossed over, their heart melted, and there was no more spirit in them, because of the sons of Israel. 2 At that time, YHWH said to Joshua, “Make flint knives, and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.” 3 Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 4 This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way, after they came out of Egypt. 5 For all the people who came out were circumcised; but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised. 6 For the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness until all the nation, even the men of war who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they didn’t listen to the voice of YHWH. YHWH swore to them that he wouldn’t let them see the land which YHWH swore to their fathers that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 Their sons, whom he raised up in their place, were circumcised by Joshua, for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them on the way. 8 When they were done circumcising the whole nation, they stayed in their places in the camp until they were healed. 9 YHWH said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of that place was called Gilgal to this day. 10 The sons of Israel encamped in Gilgal. They kept the Pesach on the fourteenth day of the new moon at evening in the plains of Jericho. 11 They ate unleavened cakes and parched grain of the produce of the land on the next day after the Pesach, in the same day. 12 The manna ceased on the next day, after they had eaten of the produce of the land. The sons of Israel didn’t have manna any more, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

4:4 “Go to Bethel, and sin; to Gilgal, and sin more. Bring your slaughters every morning, your tithes every three days, 5 burn a slaughter of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim freewill offerings and brag about them; for this pleases you, you sons of Israel,” says the Lord YHWH.

44:6 This is what YHWH, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, YHWH of Armies, says: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no Elohim.

1:1 This is the Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah, which Elohim gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John, 2 who witnessed to Elohim’s word and of the witness of Yeshua the Messiah, about everything that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and guard the things that are written in it, for the time is near. 4 John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Elohim, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne; 5 and from Yeshua the Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the land. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood— 6 and he made us to be a Reign, priests to his Elohim and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the land will mourn over him. Even so, Amen. 8 “I am the Alef and the Tav,” says the Lord Elohim, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” 9 I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Reign, and perseverance in Messiah Yeshua, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of Elohim’s Word and the witness of Yeshua the Messiah. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a shofar 11 saying, “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” 12 I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. 13 And among the lampstands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. 16 He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Sheol. 19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies.

22:1 He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of Elohim and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every new moon. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will be no curse any more. The throne of Elohim and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord Elohim will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever. 6 He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord Elohim of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.” 7 “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who guards the words of the prophecy of this book.” 8 Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. 9 He said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who guard the words of this book. Worship Elohim.” 10 He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.” 12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. 13 I am the Alef and the Tav, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the seed of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely. 18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, Elohim will add to him the plagues which are written in this book. 19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, Elohim will take away his part from the tree‡ of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. 20 He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Yeshua! 21 The grace of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with all the holy ones. Amen.

Jeremiah 50:8 “Flee out of the middle of Babylon! Go out of the land of the Kasdim, and be as the male goats before the flocks. 9 For, behold, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon a company of great nations from the north country; and they will set themselves in array against her. She will be taken from there. Their arrows will be as of an expert mighty man. None of them will return in vain. 10 Kasdim will be a prey. All who prey on her will be satisfied,” says YHWH. 11 “Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong horses, 12 your mother will be utterly disappointed. She who bore you will be confounded. Behold, she will be the least of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. 13 Because of the wrath of YHWH she won’t be inhabited, but she will be wholly desolate. Everyone who goes by Babylon will be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues. 14 Set yourselves in array against Babylon all around, all you who bend the bow; shoot at her. Spare no arrows, for she has sinned against YHWH. 15 Shout against her all around. She has submitted herself. Her bulwarks have fallen. Her walls have been thrown down, for it is the vengeance of YHWH. Take vengeance on her. As she has done, do to her. 16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him who handles the sickle in the time of harvest. For fear of the oppressing sword, they will each return to their own people, and they will each flee to their own land. 17 “Israel is a hunted sheep. The lions have driven him away. First, the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones.” 18 Therefore YHWH of Armies, the Elohim of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria. 19 I will bring Israel again to his pasture, and he will feed on Carmel and Bashan. His soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead. 20 In those days, and in that time,” says YHWH, “the iniquity of Israel will be sought for, and there will be none, also the sins of Judah, and they won’t be found; for I will pardon them whom I leave as a remnant.

Jeremiah 51:6 “Flee out of the middle of Babylon! Everyone save his own life! Don’t be cut off in her iniquity, for it is the time of YHWH’s vengeance. He will render to her a recompense. 7 Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of YHWH, who made all the land drunk. The nations have drunk of her wine; therefore the nations have gone mad. 8 Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed! Wail for her! Take balm for her pain. Perhaps she may be healed. 9 “We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed. Forsake her, and let’s each go into his own country; for her judgment reaches to the heavens, and is lifted up even to the heavens. 10 ‘YHWH has produced our righteousness. Come, and let’s declare in Zion the work of YHWH our Elohim.’ 11 “Make the arrows sharp! Hold the shields firmly! YHWH has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it; for it is the vengeance of YHWH, the vengeance of his temple. 12 Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon! Make the watch strong! Set the watchmen, and prepare the ambushes; for YHWH has both purposed and done that which he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon. 13 You who dwell on many waters, abundant in treasures, your end has come, the measure of your covetousness. 14 YHWH of Armies has sworn by himself, saying, ‘Surely I will fill you with men, as with locusts, and they will lift up a shout against you.’ 15 “He has made the land by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom. By his understanding he has stretched out the heavens. 16 When he utters his voice, there is a roar of waters in the heavens, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the land. He makes lightning for the rain, and brings the wind out of his treasuries. 17 “Every man has become stupid and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his image, for his molten images are falsehood, and there is no breath in them. 18 They are vanity, a work of delusion. In the time of their inspection, they will perish. 19 The portion of Jacob is not like these, for he formed all things, including the tribe of his inheritance. YHWH of Armies is his name. 20 “You are my battle ax and weapons of war. With you I will break the nations into pieces. With you I will destroy reigns. 21 With you I will break in pieces the horse and his rider. 22 With you I will break in pieces the chariot and him who rides therein. With you I will break in pieces man and woman. With you I will break in pieces the bearded man and the youth. With you I will break in pieces the young man and the virgin. 23 With you I will break in pieces the shepherd and his flock. With you I will break in pieces the farmer and his yoke. With you I will break in pieces governors and deputies. 24 “I will render to Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Kasdim all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight,” says YHWH. 25 “Behold, I am against you, destroying mountain,” says YHWH, “which destroys all the land. I will stretch out my hand on you, roll you down from the rocks, and will make you a burned mountain. 26 They won’t take a cornerstone from you, nor a stone for foundations; but you will be desolate forever,” says YHWH. 27 “Set up a standard in the land! Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations against her! Call together against her the reigns of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz! Appoint a marshal against her! Cause the horses to come up as the swarming locusts! 28 Prepare against her the nations, the kings of the Medes, its governors, and all its deputies, and all the land of their dominion! 29 The land trembles and is in pain; for the purposes of YHWH against Babylon stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant. 30 The mighty men of Babylon have stopped fighting, they remain in their strongholds. Their might has failed. They have become as women. Her dwelling places are set on fire. Her bars are broken. 31 One runner will run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to show the king of Babylon that his city is taken on every quarter. 32 So the passages are seized. They have burned the reeds with fire. The men of war are frightened.” 33 For YHWH of Armies, the Elohim of Israel says: “The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time when it is trodden. Yet a little while, and the time of harvest comes for her.” 34 “Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon has devoured me. He has crushed me. He has made me an empty vessel. He has, like a monster, swallowed me up. He has filled his mouth with my delicacies. He has cast me out. 35 May the violence done to me and to my flesh be on Babylon!” the inhabitant of Zion will say; and, “May my blood be on the inhabitants of Kasdim!” will Jerusalem say. 36 Therefore YHWH says: “Behold, I will plead your cause, and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea, and make her fountain dry. 37 Babylon will become heaps, a dwelling place for jackals, an astonishment, and a hissing, without inhabitant. 38 They will roar together like young lions. They will growl as lions’ cubs. 39 When they are inflamed, I will make their feast, and I will make them drunk, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake up,” says YHWH. 40 “I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male goats. 41 “How Sheshach is taken! How the praise of the whole land is seized! How Babylon has become a desolation among the nations! 42 The sea has come up on Babylon. She is covered with the multitude of its waves. 43 Her cities have become a desolation, a dry land, and a desert, a land in which no man dwells. No son of man passes by it. 44 I will execute judgment on Bel in Babylon, and I will bring out of his mouth that which he has swallowed up. The nations will not flow any more to him. Yes, the wall of Babylon will fall. 45 “My people, go away from the middle of her, and each of you save yourselves from YHWH’s fierce anger. 46 Don’t let your heart faint. Don’t fear for the news that will be heard in the land. For news will come one year, and after that in another year news will come, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler. 47 Therefore behold, the days come that I will execute judgment on the engraved images of Babylon; and her whole land will be confounded. All her slain will fall in the middle of her. 48 Then the heavens and the land, and all that is therein, will sing for joy over Babylon; for the destroyers will come to her from the north,” says YHWH. 49 “As Babylon has caused the slain of Israel to fall, so the slain of all the land will fall at Babylon. 50 You who have escaped the sword, go! Don’t stand still! Remember YHWH from afar, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.” 51 “We are confounded because we have heard reproach. Confusion has covered our faces, for strangers have come into the sanctuaries of the house of YHWH.” 52 “Therefore behold, the days come,” says YHWH, “that I will execute judgment on her engraved images; and through all her land the wounded will groan. 53 Though Babylon should mount up to the heavens, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet destroyers will come to her from me,” says YHWH. 54 “The sound of a cry comes from Babylon, and of great destruction from the land of the Kasdim! 55 For YHWH lays Babylon waste, and destroys out of her the great voice! Their waves roar like many waters. The noise of their voice is uttered. 56 For the destroyer has come on her, even on Babylon. Her mighty men are taken. Their bows are broken in pieces, for YHWH is an Elohim of retribution. He will surely repay. 57 I will make her princes, her wise men, her governors, her deputies, and her mighty men drunk. They will sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake up,” says the King, whose name is YHWH of Armies. 58 YHWH of Armies says: “The wide walls of Babylon will be utterly overthrown. Her high gates will be burned with fire. The peoples will labor for vanity, and the nations for the fire; and they will be weary.” 59 The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah to Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. Now Seraiah was chief quartermaster. 60 Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come on Babylon, even all these words that are written concerning Babylon. 61 Jeremiah said to Seraiah, “When you come to Babylon, then see that you read all these words, 62 and say, ‘YHWH, you have spoken concerning this place, to cut it off, that no one will dwell in it, neither man nor animal, but that it will be desolate forever.’ 63 It will be, when you have finished reading this book, that you will bind a stone to it, and cast it into the middle of the Euphrates. 64 Then you will say, ‘Thus will Babylon sink, and will not rise again because of the evil that I will bring on her; and they will be weary.’ ” Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

18:1 After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the heavens, having great authority. The land was illuminated with his glory. 2 He cried with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her whoring, the kings of the land committed whoring with her, and the merchants of the land grew rich from the abundance of her luxury.” 4 I heard another voice from the heavens, saying, “Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don’t receive of her plagues, 5 for her sins have reached to the heavens, and Elohim has remembered her iniquities. 6 Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double. 7 However much she glorified herself and grew wanton, so much give her of torment and mourning. For she says in her heart, ‘I sit a queen, and am no widow, and will in no way see mourning.’ 8 Therefore in one day her plagues will come: death, mourning, and famine; and she will be utterly burned with fire, for the Lord Elohim who has judged her is strong. 9 The kings of the land who committed whoring and lived wantonly with her will weep and wail over her, when they look at the smoke of her burning, 10 standing far away for the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For your judgment has come in one hour.’ 11 The merchants of the land weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise any more: 12 merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, all expensive wood, every vessel of ivory, every vessel made of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, sheep, horses, chariots, and people’s bodies and souls. 14 The fruits which your soul coveted after have been lost to you. All things that were dainty and sumptuous have perished from you, and you will find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, will stand far away for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, 16 saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was dressed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.’ Every ship master, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away, 18 and cried out as they looked at the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like the great city?’ 19 They cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her great wealth!’ For she is made desolate in one hour. 20 “Rejoice over her, O the heavens, you holy ones, emissaries, and prophets, for Elohim has judged your judgment on her.” 21 A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, and will be found no more at all. 22 The voice of harpists, minstrels, flute players, and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you. No craftsman of whatever craft will be found any more at all in you. The sound of a mill will be heard no more at all in you. 23 The light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you. The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more at all in you, for your merchants were the princes of the land; for with your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones, and of all who have been slain on the land.”

Numbers 20:11 Moses lifted up his hand, and struck the rock with his rod twice, and water came out abundantly. The congregation and their livestock drank.

Deuteronomy 8:15 who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with venomous snakes and scorpions, and thirsty ground where there was no water; who poured water for you out of the rock of flint

Psalms 74:15 You opened up spring and stream. You dried up mighty rivers.

Psalms 78:14 In the daytime he also led them with a cloud, and all night with a light of fire. 15 He split rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths. 16 He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. 17 Yet they still went on to sin against him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert. 18 They tested Elohim in their heart by asking food according to their desire. 19 Yes, they spoke against Elohim. They said, “Can Elohim prepare a table in the wilderness? 20 Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people?” 21 Therefore YHWH heard, and was angry. A fire was kindled against Jacob, anger also went up against Israel, 22 because they didn’t believe in Elohim, and didn’t trust in his salvation.

Psalms 105:41 He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. They ran as a river in the dry places.

1 Corinthians 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Messiah.

41:1 “Keep silent before me, islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come near, then let them speak. Let’s meet together for judgment. 2 Who has raised up one from the east? Who called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands over nations to him and makes him rule over kings. He gives them like the dust to his sword, like the driven stubble to his bow. 3 He pursues them and passes by safely, even by a way that he had not gone with his feet. 4 Who has worked and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, YHWH, the first, and with the last, I am he.” 5 The islands have seen, and fear. The ends of the land tremble. They approach, and come.

10:2 The sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The sons of Gomer were: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The sons of Javan were: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5 Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in their nations.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of Elohim is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Revelation 1:16 He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

Revelation 2:16 Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.

5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the coveting of the flesh. 17 For the flesh coveting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, whoring, uncleanness, covetousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the reign of Elohim. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with its passions and coveting. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

22:14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

3:5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the land: whoring, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 For these things’ sake the wrath of Elohim comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them, 8 but now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the bearded man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, 11 where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Messiah is all, and in all.

Related Additional Readings​

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).

31:1 Wakefulness that comes of riches consumes the flesh, And the anxiety thereof puts away sleep. 2 Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber; And in a sore disease sleep will be broken. 3 A rich man toils in gathering money together; And when he rests, he is filled with his good things. 4 A poor man toils in lack of substance; And when he rests, he becomes needy. 5 He that loves gold will not be justified; And he that follows destruction will himself have his fill of it. 6 Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold; And their perdition comes to pass in their faces. 7 It is a stumbling block to those who slaughter to it; And every fool will be taken therewith. 8 Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, And that goes not after gold.

35:1 He who guards the Torah multiplies offerings. He who heeds the commandments slaughters a peace offering. 2 He who returns a kindness offers fine flour. He who gives alms slaughters a thank offering. 3 To depart from wickedness pleases the Lord. To depart from unrighteousness is an atoning slaughter. 4 See that you don’t appear in the face of the Lord empty. 5 For all these things are done because of the commandment. 6 The offering of the righteous enriches the altar. The sweet fragrance of it is before the Most High. 7 The slaughter of a righteous man is acceptable. It won’t be forgotten.

44:17 Noaḥ was found perfect and righteous; In the season of wrath he was taken in exchange for the world; Therefore was there left a remnant to the land, When the flood came. 18 Everlasting covenants were made with him, That all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood.

40:19 Children and the building of a city establish a name. An unblemished woman is better than both.

2:22 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 unblemished 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.

4:41 Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those who were in the citadel until he had cleansed the holy place. 42 He chose unblemished priests who were devoted to the law; 43 and they cleansed the holy place and carried the defiled stones out to an unclean place.

The most troublesome problem with the canonical book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible is that Elohim is never mentioned nor addressed in prayer. The most prominent events depicted are the extended feasts of eating and drinking. The religious aspect is altogether missing in the Hebrew text of Esther, and anciently this led some rabbis to question its inclusion in the canon. By contrast, the text of Esther in the Greek Septuagint features six additional chapters, totaling 107 verses. These six additions are known in the King James Version as “The Rest of the Chapters of the Book of Esther.” Their whole purpose is to provide the missing religious dimension to this story. These additions mention Elohim more than fifty times, and often underscore the role of Elohim’s gracious providence in these tumultuous events.

16:1 The great king Artaxerxes to the governors of countries in a hundred and seven and twenty provinces from India to Ethiopia, and to them that are well affected to our state, greeting. 2 Many, the more often they are honored with the great bounty of their benefactors (perhaps “rulers” cf. Luke 22:25), the more proud they are waxen, 3 and endeavor to hurt not our subjects only, but not being able to bear abundance, do take in hand to practice also against those that do them good: 4 and take not only thankfulness away from among men, but also lifted up with the boastful words of them that were never good, they think to escape the evil-hating justice of Elohim, who always sees all things. 5 Oftentimes also fair speech of those that are put in trust to manage their friends’ affairs, has caused many that are in authority to be partakers of innocent blood, and has enwrapped them in remediless calamities: 6 beguiling with the false deceit of their lewd disposition the innocent good will of princes. 7 Now you may see this, as we have declared, not so much by more ancient histories, as you may, if you search what has been wickedly done of late through the pestilent behavior of them that are unworthily placed in authority. 8 And we must take care for the time to come, to render our reign quiet and peaceful for all men, 9 both by changing our purposes, and always judging things that come before our eyes with more equal proceeding. 10 For Aman, a Macedonian, the son of Amadathus, an alien in truth from the Persian blood, and far distant from our goodness, being as a guest received of us, 11 had so far forth obtained the favor that we show toward every nation, as that he was called our father, and was continually honored of all men, as the next person to the royal throne. 12 But he, not bearing his high estate, went about to deprive us of our reign and our life; 13 having by manifold and cunning deceits sought of us the destruction, as well of Mardocheus, who saved our life, and continually procured our good, as also of Esther the unblemished partaker of our reign, together with their whole nation. 14 For by these means he thought, finding us destitute of friends, to have translated the reign of the Persians to the Macedonians. 15 But we find that the Jews, whom this most ungracious wretch has delivered to utter destruction, are no evil-doers, but live by most just laws: 16 and that they be children of the most high and most mighty living Elohim, who has ordered the reign both to us and to our progenitors in the most excellent manner. 17 Wherefore you will do well not to put in execution the letters sent to you by Aman the son of Amadathus. 18 For he, that was the worker of these things, is hanged at the gates of Susa with all his family: Elohim, who rules all things, speedily rendering vengeance to him according to his deserts. 19 Therefore you will publish openly the copy of this letter in all places, and let the Jews live after their own laws, 20 and you will aid them, that even the same day, being the thirteenth day of the twelfth new moon Adar, they may defend themselves against those who set upon them in the time of their affliction. 21 For Almighty Elohim has made this day to be a joy to them, instead of the destruction of the chosen people. 22 And you will therefore among your commemorative feasts keep it a high day with all feasting: 23 that both now and hereafter there may be safety to us, and the well affected Persians; but to those which do conspire against us a memorial of destruction. 24 Therefore every city or country whatever, which will not do according to these things, will be utterly destroyed without mercy with fire and sword; it will be made not only unpassable for men, but also most hateful to wild beasts and fowls for ever.

These hymns are almost wholly devoted to the descriptive praise of Elohim’s goodness as shown to the righteous in Israel. This group includes no examples of the other main type of psalm, the individual or communal lament. The songs of In Praise of Elohim’s Grace are outstanding imitations of the biblical psalms. Like them, they occasionally quote verbatim from the books of the Old Testament. These praise hymns contain no clear indication of the time of composition. The official editors of this collection refer to it by the title Barki Nafshi, a Hebrew phrase meaning “Bless, O my soul…” that occurs several times in the poems.

[…] that the poor woman might be comforted in her mourning […] the Nations unto destruction and the nations will be exterminated and the wicked […] will renew the activity of the heavens and land and they will rejoice and His glory fills [all the land…] their [sin] He will forgive and console them with abundant goodness […] to eat its fruit and its goodness. Like one whose mother comforts him, so He will comfort them in Jerusalem (cf. Isaiah 66:13) [and He will rejoice as a bridegroom] over his bride. His [face] will rest upon it forever, for His throne will last forever and ever, and His glory […] and all the Nations […] to Him and the host [of the heavens] will be in it and make their land delight […] for beauty […] I will bless the [Lord…] Blessed is the name of the Most High […] […] Bless, [O my soul… You have placed] Your mercies upon me […] You have established it on the Law […] the book of Your statutes […]

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

Josephus was born Joseph ben Mattathias in 37 AD in Jerusalem of a priestly and royal family. He excelled in his studies of Jewish law and studied with the Sadducees, Pharisees, and the Essenes, eventually aligning himself with the Pharisees. In 62 AD he went to Rome to free some imprisoned priests. After accomplishing this mission through the intercession of Nero’s wife, Poppaea, he returned to Jerusalem in 65 AD to find the country in revolt against Rome. Josephus shrewdly reinterpreted the Messianic prophecies. He predicted that Vespasian would become the ruler of the ‘entire world’. His prophecy became true in 68 AD when Nero committed suicide and Vespasian became Ceasar. As a result, Josephus was freed; he moved to Rome and became a Roman citizen, taking the Vespasian family name Flavius. Vespasian commissioned Josephus to write a history of the war, which he finished in 78 AD, the Jewish War. His second major work, the Antiquities of the Jews, was completed in 93 AD. The extant manuscripts of the book Antiquities of the Jews contain two references to Yeshua of Nazareth (18.3.3. and 20.9.1.) and one reference to the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (18.5.2.).

3.9.1. I Will now, however, make mention of a few of our laws which belong to purifications, and the like sacred offices, since I am accidentally come to this matter of slaughters. These slaughters were of two sorts; of those sorts one was offered for private persons, and the other for the people in general; and they are done in two different ways. In the one case, what is slain is burnt, as a whole burnt offering, whence that name is given to it; but the other is a thank offering, and is designed for feasting those that slaughter. I will speak of the former. Suppose a private man offer a burnt offering, he must slay either a bull, a lamb, or a kid of the goats, and the two latter of the first year, though of bulls he is permitted to slaughter those of a greater age; but all burnt offerings are to be of males. When they are slain, the priests sprinkle the blood round about the altar; they then cleanse the bodies, and divide them into parts, and salt them with salt, and lay them upon the altar, while the pieces of wood are piled one upon another, and the fire is burning; they next cleanse the feet of the slaughters, and the inwards, in an accurate manner and so lay them to the rest to be purged by the fire, while the priests receive the hides. This is the way of offering a burnt offering.

3.9.2. But those that offer thank offerings do indeed slaughter the same creatures, but such as are unblemished, and above a year old; however, they may take either males or females. They also sprinkle the altar with their blood; but they lay upon the altar the kidneys and the caul, and all the fat, and the lobe of the liver, together with the rump of the lamb; then, giving the breast and the right shoulder to the priests, the offerers feast upon the remainder of the flesh for two days; and what remains they burn.

3.9.3. The slaughters for sins are offered in the same manner as is the thank offering. But those who are unable to purchase complete slaughters, offer two doves, or turtle doves; the one of which is made a burnt offering to Elohim, the other they give as food to the priests. But we will treat more accurately about the oblation of these creatures in our discourse concerning slaughters. But if a person fall into sin by ignorance, he offers an ewe lamb, or a female kid of the goats, of the same age; and the priests sprinkle the blood at the altar, not after the former manner, but at the corners of it. They also bring the kidneys and the rest of the fat, together with the lobe of the liver, to the altar, while the priests bear away the hides and the flesh, and spend it in the holy place, on the same day; 23 for the law does not permit them to leave of it until the morning. But if any one sin, and is conscious of it himself, but hath nobody that can prove it upon him, he offers a ram, the law enjoining him so to do; the flesh of which the priests eat, as before, in the holy place, on the same day. And if the rulers offer slaughters for their sins, they bring the same oblations that private men do; only they so far differ, that they are to bring for slaughters a bull or a kid of the goats, both males.

3.9.4. Now the law requires, both in private and public slaughters, that the finest flour be also brought; for a lamb the measure of one tenth deal,—for a ram two,—and for a bull three. This they consecrate upon the altar, when it is mingled with oil; for oil is also brought by those that slaughter; for a bull the half of an hin, and for a ram the third part of the same measure, and one quarter of it for a lamb. This hin is an ancient Hebrew measure, and is equivalent to two Athenian choas [or congiuses]. They bring the same quantity of oil which they do of wine, and they pour the wine about the altar; but if any one does not offer a complete slaughter of animals, but brings fine flour only for a vow, he throws a handful upon the altar as its first fruits, while the priests take the rest for their food, either boiled or mingled with oil, but made into cakes of bread. But whatsoever it be that a priest himself offers, it must of necessity be all burnt. Now the law forbids us to slaughter any animal at the same time with its dam; and, in other cases, not till the eighth day after its birth. Other slaughters there are also appointed for escaping distempers, or for other occasions, in which grain offerings are consumed, together with the animals that are slaughtered; of which it is not lawful to leave any part till the next day, only the priests are to take their own share.