The Levites' Prayer of Confession
Nehemiah 9
The people assemble in fasting and sackcloth to confess their sins, and the Levites lead a long prayer recounting the Lord's mercies from creation and the calling of Abraham through the exodus, the wilderness, and the conquest of the land, tracing the repeated pattern of the people's rebellion and the Lord's patient deliverance.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAND on the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the children of Israel were assembled, fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads;
BrentonNow on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel assembled with fasting, and in sackcloths, and with ashes on their head.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ εἰκοστῇ καὶ τετάρτῃ τοῦ μηνὸς τούτου συνήχθησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἐν νηστείᾳ καὶ ἐν σάκκοις καὶ σποδῷ ἐπὶ κεφαλῆς αὐτῶν.
KJVNow in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
JPSNow in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth upon them.
2
Thomsonand having separated themselves from every stranger, they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
BrentonAnd the children of Israel separated themselves from every stranger, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
GreekΚαὶ ἐχωρίσθησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἀπὸ παντὸς υἱοῦ ἀλλοτρίου, καὶ ἔστησαν καὶ ἐξηγόρευσαν τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν, καὶ τὰς ἀνομίας τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
JPSAnd the seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
3
ThomsonWhen they had stood in their place and had the Book of the Law of the Lord their God read to them, and had made confession to the Lord and worshipped the Lord their God;
BrentonAnd they stood in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God: and they confessed their sins to the Lord, and worshipped the Lord their God.
GreekΚαὶ ἔστησαν ἐπὶ τῇ στάσει αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀνέγνωσαν ἐν βιβλίῳ νόμου Κυρίου Θεοῦ αὐτῶν· καὶ ἦσαν ἐξαγορεύοντες τῷ Κυρίῳ καὶ προσκυνοῦντες τῷ Κυρίῳ Θεῷ αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.
JPSAnd they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the Law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and prostrated themselves before the LORD their God.
4
Thomsonthen Jesu stood on the step of the Levites with the sons of Kadmiel, Sechenia son of Sarabia, the sons of Choneni; and when they had cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God,
BrentonAnd there stood upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jesus, and the sons of Cadmiel, Sechenia the son of Sarabia, sons of Choneni; and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God.
GreekΚαὶ ἔστη ἐπὶ ἀναβάσει τῶν Λευιτῶν Ἰησοῦς, καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Καδμιὴλ, Σεχενία υἱὸς Σαραβία, υἱοὶ Χωνενί· καὶ ἐβόησαν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ πρὸς Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν αὐτῶν.
KJVThen stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.
JPSThen stood up upon the platform of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.
5
Thomsonand the Levites, Jesu and Kadmiel said, Arise, bless ye the Lord our God; from everlasting to everlasting let them bless Thy glorious name, and exalt it with all blessing and praise, then Esdras said:
BrentonAnd the Levites, Jesus and Cadmiel, said, Rise up, bless the Lord our God for ever and ever: and let them bless thy glorious name, and exalt it with all blessing and praise.
GreekΚαὶ εἴποσαν οἱ Λευῖται Ἰησοῦς καὶ Καδμιὴλ, ἀνάστητε, εὐλογεῖτε Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν ἡμῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ αἰῶνος καὶ ἕως τοῦ αἰῶνος· καὶ εὐλογήσουσιν ὄνομα δόξης σου, καὶ ὑψώσουσιν ἐπὶ πάσῃ εὐλογίᾳ καὶ αἰνέσει.
KJVThen the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
JPSThen the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: ‘Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting; and let them say: Blessed be Thy glorious Name, that is exalted above all blessing and praise.
6
ThomsonThou art Thyself the only Lord. Thou hast made the heaven and the heaven of heaven with all their host, the earth and all the things therein, the seas and all which are in them; and Thou quickenest them all; and the armies of heaven worship Thee.
BrentonAnd Esdras said, Thou art the only true Lord; thou madest the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, and all their array, the earth, and all things that are in it, the seas, and all things in them; and thou quickenest all things, and the hosts of heaven worship thee.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἔσδρας, σὺ εἶ αὐτὸς Κύριος μόνος, σὺ ἐποίησας τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὸν οὐρανὸν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν στάσιν αὐτῶν, τὴν γῆν καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ, τὰς θαλάσσας καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐν αὐταῖς· καὶ σὺ ζωοποιεῖς τὰ πάντα, καὶ σοὶ προσκυνοῦσιν αἱ στρατιαὶ τῶν οὐρανῶν·
KJVThou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
JPSThou art the LORD, even Thou alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and Thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth Thee.
7
ThomsonThou art the Lord God. Having made choice of Abram, Thou didst lead him out from the country of the Chaldees and give him the name of Abraham.
BrentonThou art the Lord God, thou didst choose Abram, and broughtest him out of the land of the Chaldeans, and gavest him the name of Abraam:
GreekΣὺ εἶ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, σὺ ἐξελέξω ἐν Ἅβραμ καὶ ἐξήγαγες αὐτὸν ἐκ τῆς χώρας τῶν Χαλδαίων, καὶ ἐπέθηκας αὐτῷ ὄνομα Ἁβραάμ·
KJVThou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;
JPSThou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;
8
ThomsonAnd finding his heart faithful before Thee, Thou madest a covenant with him, to give him the land of the Chananites and the Chettites and the Amorites and the Pherezites and the Jebusites and the Gergasites, even to his seed, and hast performed Thy words, for Thou art righteous.
Brentonand thou foundest his heart faithful before thee, and didst make a covenant with him to give to him and to his seed the land of the Chananites, and the Chettites, and Amorites, and Pherezites, and Jebusites, and Gergesites; and thou hast confirmed thy words, for thou art righteous.
GreekΚαὶ εὗρες τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ πιστὴν ἐνώπιόν σου, καὶ διέθου πρὸς αὐτὸν διαθήκην δοῦναι αὐτῷ τὴν γῆν τῶν Χαναναίων, καὶ Χετταίων, καὶ Ἀμοῤῥαίων, καὶ Φερεζαίων, καὶ Ἰεβουσαίων, καὶ Γεργεσαίων, καὶ τῷ σπέρματι αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἔστησας τοὺς λόγους σου, ὅτι δίκαιος σύ.
KJVAnd foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:
JPSand foundest his heart faithful before Thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, even to give it unto his seed, and hast performed Thy words; for Thou art righteous;
9
ThomsonThou didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and didst hear their cry at the Red Sea:
BrentonAnd thou sawest the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and thou heardest their cry at the Red Sea.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδες τὴν ταπείνωσιν τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ, καὶ τὴν κραυγὴν αὐτῶν ἤκουσας ἐπὶ θάλασσαν ἐρυθράν.
KJVAnd didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
JPSAnd Thou sawest the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red Sea;
10
Thomsonand having shewn signs and wonders in Egypt on Pharao and on all his servants and on all his people, because Thou knewest that they had behaved proudly against them [our forefathers], and made Thyself a name as at this day,
BrentonAnd thou shewedst signs and wonders in Egypt, on Pharao and all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knowest that they behaved insolently against them: and thou madest thyself a name, as at this day.
GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκας σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ ἐν Φαραῷ, καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν παντὶ τῷ λαῷ τῆς γῆς αὐτοῦ, ὅτς ἔγνως ὅτι ὑπερηφάνησαν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐποίησας σεαυτῷ ὄνομα ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη.
KJVAnd shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.
JPSand didst show signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land; for Thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them; and didst get Thee a name, as it is this day.
11
ThomsonThou didst cleave the sea before them, and they passed through the midst of the sea on dry ground; but those who were pursuing, Thou didst cast into the deep like a stone in boisterous water.
BrentonAnd thou didst cleave the sea before them, and they passed through the midst of the sea on dry land; and thou didst cast into the deep them that were about to pursue them, as a stone in the mighty water.
GreekΚαὶ τὴν θάλασσαν ἔῥῥηξας ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν, καὶ παρήλθοσαν ἐν μέσῳ τῆς θαλάσσης ἐν ξηρασίᾳ, καὶ τοὺς καταδιώξοντας αὐτοὺς ἔῤῥιψας εἰς βυθὸν, ὡσεὶ λίθον ἐν ὕδατι σφοδρῶ.
KJVAnd thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.
JPSAnd Thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their pursuers Thou didst cast into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters.
12
ThomsonWith a pillar of cloud Thou didst guide them by day; and by night with a pillar of fire, to illumine the way for them in which they should go.
BrentonAnd thou guidedst them by day by a pillar of cloud, and by night by a pillar of fire, to enlighten for them the way wherein they should walk.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν στύλῳ νεφέλης ὡδήγησας αὐτοὺς ἡμέρας, καὶ ἐν στύλῳ πυρὸς τὴν νύκτα, τοῦ φωτίσαι αὐτοῖς τὴν ὁδὸν ἐν ᾗ πορεύσονται ἐν αὐτῇ.
KJVMoreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.
JPSMoreover in a pillar of cloud Thou didst lead them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.
13
ThomsonThou camest down also on mount Sina and didst speak to them from heaven, and give them right judgments and laws of truth and statutes and good commandments.
BrentonAlso thou camest down upon mount Sina, and thou spakest to them out of heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and laws of truth, ordinances, and good commandments.
Greekκαὶ ἐπὶ ὄρος Σινὰ κατέβης, καὶ ἐλάλησας πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ ἔδωκας αὐτοῖς κρίματα εὐθέα, καὶ νόμους ἀληθείας, προστάγματα, καὶ ἐντολὰς ἀγαθάς.
KJVThou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
JPSThou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spokest with them from heaven, and gavest them right ordinances and laws of truth, good statutes and commandments;
14
ThomsonThou madest known to them Thy holy sabbaths and dist prescribe for them commandments and statutes and a law by the ministry of Thy servant Moses.
BrentonAnd thou didst make known to them thy holy sabbath; thou didst enjoin upon them commandments, and ordinances, and a law, by the hand of thy servant Moses.
GreekΚαὶ τὸ σάββατόν σου τὸ ἅγιον ἐγνώρισας αὐτοῖς, ἐντολὰς καὶ προστάγματα καὶ νόμον ἐνετείλω αὐτοῖς ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ δούλου σου.
KJVAnd madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
JPSand madest known unto them Thy holy sabbath, and didst command them commandments, and statutes, and a law, by the hand of Moses Thy servant;
15
ThomsonThou gavest them also bread from heaven for their food, and didst bring water for them out of a rock for their thirst, ordering them to go in and take possession of the land which Thou hadst stretched forth Thy hand to give them.
BrentonAnd thou gavest them bread from heaven for their food, and thou broughtest them forth water from a rock for their thirst; and thou badest them go in to inherit the land over which thou stretchedst out thy hand to give it them.
GreekΚαὶ ἄρτον ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἔδωκας αὐτοῖς εἰς σιτοδοτίαν αὐτῶν, καὶ ὕδωρ ἐκ πέτρας ἐξήνεγκας αὐτοῖς εἰς δίψαν αὐτῶν· καὶ εἶπας αὐτοῖς εἰσελθεῖν κληρονομῆσαι τὴν γῆν ἐφʼ ἣν ἐξέτεινας τὴν χεῖρά σου δοῦναι αὐτοῖς.
KJVAnd gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.
JPSand gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and didst command them that they should go in to possess the land which Thou hadst lifted up Thy hand to give them.
16
ThomsonBut they, even our fathers, behaved proudly and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to Thy commandments.
BrentonBut they and our fathers behaved proudly, and hardened their neck, and did not hearken to thy commandments,
GreekΚαὶ αὐτοὶ καὶ οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν ὑπερηφανεύσαντο, καὶ ἐσκλήρυναν τὸν τράχηλον αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἤκουσαν τῶν ἐντολῶν σου,
KJVBut they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
JPSBut they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to Thy commandments,
17
ThomsonThough they refused to go in, and were unmindful of Thy wonders which Thou hadst done among them—though they hardened their neck and set up a chief, to return to their bondage in Egypt, yet Thou Who art a God merciful and gracious, long-suffering and of great kindness, didst not forsake them utterly.
Brentonand refused to listen, and remembered not thy wonders which thou wroughtest with them; and they hardened their neck, and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt: but thou, O God, art merciful and compassionate, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy, and thou didst not forsake them.
Greekκαὶ ἀνένευσαν τοῦ εἰσακοῦσαι, καὶ οὐκ ἐμνήσθησαν τῶν θαυμασίων σου ὧν ἐποίησας μετʼ αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐσκλήρυναν τὸν τράχηλον αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔδωκαν ἀρχὴν ἐπιστρέψαι εἰς δουλείαν αὐτῶν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ· καὶ σὺ ὁ Θεὸς ἐλεήμων καὶ οἰκτίρμων, μακρόθυμος καὶ πολυέλεος, καὶ οὐκ ἐγκατέλιπες αὐτούς.
KJVAnd refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
JPSand refused to hearken, neither were mindful of Thy wonders that Thou didst among them; but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage; but Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy, and forsookest them not.
18
ThomsonEven before this, though they made themselves a molten calf and said, These are the gods which brought us up out of Egypt,—and committed great provocations;
BrentonAnd still farther they even made to themselves a molten calf, and said, These are the gods that brought us up out of Egypt: and they wrought great provocations.
GreekἜτι δὲ καὶ ἐποίησαν ἑαυτοῖς μόσχον χωνευτὸν, καὶ εἶπαν, οὗτοι οἱ θεοὶ οἱ ἐξαγαγόντες ἡμᾶς ἐξ Αἰγύπτου· καὶ ἐποίησαν παροργισμοὺς μεγάλους.
KJVYea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;
JPSYea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said: ‘This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;
19
Thomsonyet Thou through Thy manifold mercies didst not leave them in the wilderness. Thou didst not withdraw from them by day the pillar of a cloud which was to guide them in the way, nor the pillar of fire at night, which was to illumine the way for them in which they should go;
BrentonYet thou in thy great compassions didst not forsake them in the wilderness: thou didst not turn away from them the pillar of the cloud by day, to guide them in the way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to enlighten for them the way wherein they should walk.
GreekΚαὶ σὺ ἐν οἰκτιρμοῖς σου τοῖς πολλοῖς οὐκ ἐγκατέλιπες αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, τὸν στύλον τῆς νεφέλης οὐκ ἐξέκλινας ἀπʼ αὐτῶν ἡμέρας, ὁδηγῆσαι αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ τὸν στύλον τοῦ πυρὸς τὴν νύκτα, φωτίζειν αὐτοῖς τὴν ὁδὸν ἐν ᾗ πορεύσονται ἐν αὐτῇ.
KJVYet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.
JPSyet Thou in Thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud departed not from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way wherein they should go.
20
Thomsonbut gavest Thy good Spirit to instruct them; and not withholding Thy manna from their mouth, Thou gavest them water when they were athirst.
BrentonAnd thou gavest thy good Spirit to instruct them, and thou didst not withhold thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water in their thirst.
GreekΚαὶ τὸ πνεῦμά σου τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἔδωκας συνετίσαι αὐτούς· καὶ τὸ μάννα σου οὐκ ἀφυστέρησας ἀπὸ στόματος αὐτῶν, καὶ ὕδωρ ἔδωκας αὐτοῖς ἐν τῷ δίψει αὐτῶν.
KJVThou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
JPSThou gavest also Thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not Thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
21
ThomsonThus didst Thou sustain them forty years in the wilderness, not suffering them to want anything. Their clothes did not wear out, nor were their feet bruised.
BrentonAnd thou didst sustain them forty years in the wilderness; thou didst not allow anything to fail them: their garments did not wax old, and their feet were not bruised.
GreekΚαὶ τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη διέθρεψας αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὐχ ὑστέρησας αὐτοῖς οὐδέν· ἱμάτια αὐτῶν οὐκ ἐπαλαιώθησαν, καὶ πόδες αὐτῶν οὐ διεῤῥάγησαν.
KJVYea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
JPSYea, forty years didst Thou sustain them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
22
ThomsonThen Thou gavest them kingdoms, and didst divide peoples among them; so they took possession of the land of Seon king of Esebon, and of the land of Og king of Basan.
BrentonMoreover thou gavest them kingdoms, and didst divide nations to them: and they inherited the land of Seon king of Esebon, and the land of Og king of Basan.
GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκας αὐτοῖς βασιλείας, καὶ λαοὺς ἐμέρισας αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἐκληρονόμησαν τὴν γῆν Σηὼν βασιλέως Ἐσεβὼν, καὶ τὴν γῆν Ὢγ βασιλέως τοῦ Βασάν.
KJVMoreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.
JPSMoreover Thou gavest them kingdoms and peoples, which Thou didst allot quarter by quarter; so they possessed the land of Sihon, even the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.
23
ThomsonAnd having multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, Thou broughtest them into the land which Thou hadst promised their fathers; and they took possession of it.
BrentonAnd thou didst multiply their children as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land of which thou spokest to their fathers;
GreekΚαὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτῶν ἐπλήθυνας ὡς τοὺς ἀστέρας τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ εἰσήγαγες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν γῆν ἣν εἶπας τοῖς πατράσιν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκληρονόμησαν αὐτήν·
KJVTheir children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
JPSTheir children also didst Thou multiply as the stars of heaven, and didst bring them into the land, concerning which Thou didst say to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
24
ThomsonBut when Thou hadst subdued before them the inhabitants of the land of the Chananites, and delivered them into their hands-both the kings and the people of the land, to do with them as they thought fit;
Brentonand they inherited it: and thou didst destroy from before them the dwellers in the land of the Chananites, and thou gavest into their hands them and their kings, and the nations of the land, to do unto them as it pleased them.
Greekκαὶ ἐξέτριψας ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν τοὺς κατοικοῦντας τὴν γῆν τῶν Χαναναίων, καὶ ἔδωκας αὐτοὺς εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς βασιλεῖς αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς λαοὺς τῆς γῆς, ποιῆσαι αὐτοῖς ὡς ἀρεστὸν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν.
KJVSo the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.
JPSSo the children went in and possessed the land, and Thou didst subdue before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would.
25
Thomsonand they had taken lofty cities, and got possession of houses filled with all good things, of cisterns ready-hewn out of stone, of vineyards and olive yards, and all sorts of fruit trees in abundance, and had eaten and were filled, and became fat, they rioted on Thy great bounty,
BrentonAnd they took lofty cities, and inherited houses full of all good things, wells dug, vineyards, and oliveyards, and every fruit tree in abundance: so they ate, and were filled, and grew fat, and rioted in thy great goodness.
GreekΚαὶ κατελάβοσαν πόλεις ὑψηλὰς, καὶ ἐκληρονόμησαν οἰκίας πλήρεις πάντων ἀγαθῶν, λάκκους λελατομημένους, ἀμπελῶνας καὶ ἐλαιῶνας, καὶ πᾶν ξύλον βρώσιμον εἰς πλῆθος· καὶ ἐφάγοσαν καὶ ἐνεπλήσθησαν καὶ ἐλιπάνθησαν, καὶ ἐτρύφησαν ἐν ἀγαθωσύνῃ σου τῇ μεγάλῃ.
KJVAnd they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
JPSAnd they took fortified cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all good things, cisterns hewn out, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit-trees in abundance; so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and luxuriated in Thy great goodness.
26
Thomsonand turned and apostatised from Thee, and cast Thy law behind their backs: Nay, they slew Thy prophets who testified against them to turn them to Thee; and committed great provocations.
BrentonBut they turned, and revolted from thee, and cast thy law behind their backs; and they slew thy prophets, who testified against them to turn them back to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
GreekΚαὶ ἤλλαξαν, καὶ ἀπέστησαν ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ ἔῤῥιψαν τὸν νόμον σου ὀπίσω σώματος αὐτῶν· καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν, οἳ διεμαρτύραντο ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐπιστρέψαι αὐτοὺς πρὸς σέ· καὶ ἐποίησαν παροργισμοὺς μεγάλους.
KJVNevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
JPSNevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against Thee, and cast Thy law behind their back, and slew Thy prophets that did forewarn them to turn them back unto Thee, and they wrought great provocations.
27
ThomsonTherefore Thou didst deliver them into the hand of their enemies, who afflicted them. But when, in the time of their distress they cried to Thee, Thou from heaven didst hear, and in Thy tender mercies which are great, Thou didst send them deliverers, and save them out of the hand of them who were afflicting them.
BrentonThen thou gavest them into the hand of them that afflicted them, and they did afflict them: and they cried to thee in the time of their affliction, and thou didst hear them from thy heaven, and in thy great compassions gavest them deliverers, and didst save them from the hand of them that afflicted them.
GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκας αὐτοὺς ἐν χειρὶ θλιβόντων αὐτούς, καὶ ἔθλιψαν αὐτούς· καὶ ἀνεβόησαν πρὸς σὲ ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως αὐτῶν, καὶ σὺ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ σου ἤκουσας, καὶ ἐν οἰκτιρμοῖς σου τοῖς μεγάλοις ἔδωκας αὐτοῖς σωτῆρας, καὶ ἔσωσας αὐτοὺς ἐκ χειρὸς θλιβόντων αὐτούς.
KJVTherefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
JPSTherefore Thou didst deliver them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them; and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto Thee, Thou heardest from heaven; and according to Thy manifold mercies Thou gavest them saviours who might save them out of the hand of their adversaries.
28
ThomsonYet soon as they had rest, they returned to do evil in Thy sight, therefore Thou didst leave them in the hand of their enemies, who exercised dominion over them. But again when they cried to Thee, Thou from heaven didst hearken, and in the multitude of Thy tender mercies didst deliver them,
BrentonBut when they rested, they did evil again before thee: so thou leftest them in the hands of their enemies, and they ruled over them: and they cried again to thee, and thou heardest them from heaven, and didst deliver them in thy great compassions.
GreekΚαὶ ὡς ἀνεπαύσαντο, ἐπέστρεψαν ποιῆσαι τὸ πονηρὸν ἐνώπιόν σου· καὶ ἐγκατέλιπες αὐτοὺς εἰς χεῖρας ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν, καὶ κατῆρξαν ἐν αὐτοῖς· καὶ πάλιν ἀνεβόησαν πρὸς σὲ, καὶ σὺ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ εἰσήκουσας, καὶ ἐῤῥύσω αὐτοὺς ἐν οἰκτιρμοῖς σου πολλοῖς.
KJVBut after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;
JPSBut after they had rest, they did evil again before Thee; therefore didst Thou leave them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them; yet when they returned, and cried unto Thee, many times didst Thou hear from heaven, and deliver them according to Thy mercies;
29
Thomsonand admonish them to return to Thy law. When they hearkened not, but transgressed Thy commandments and Thy judgments, (which if a man practise he shall live thereby) and turned back rebelliously, and hardened their neck, and would not hear,
BrentonAnd thou didst testify against them, to bring them back to thy law: but they hearkened not, but sinned against thy commandments and thy judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them; and they turned their back, and hardened their neck, and heard not.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπεμαρτύρω αὐτοῖς ἐπιστρέψαι αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν νόμον σου· καὶ οὐκ ἤκουσαν, ἀλλʼ ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς σου καὶ κρίμασί σου ἡμάρτοσαν, ἃ ποιήσας αὐτὰ ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἔδωκαν νῶτον ἀπειθοῦντα, καὶ τράχηλον αὐτῶν ἐσκλήρυναν καὶ οὐκ ἤκουσαν.
KJVAnd testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
JPSand didst forewarn them, that Thou mightest bring them back unto Thy law; yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto Thy commandments, but sinned against Thine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them, and presented a stubborn shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
30
Thomsonand Thou hadst borne with them many years, and testified against them by Thy Spirit—by the ministry of Thy prophets; and they did not give ear, though Thou didst deliver them into the hands of the people of the land,
BrentonYet thou didst bear long with them many years, and didst testify to them by thy Spirit by the hand of thy prophets: but they hearkened not; so thou gavest them into the hand of the nations of the land.
GreekΚαὶ εἵλκυσας ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς ἔτη πολλὰ, καὶ ἐπεμαρτύρω αὐτοῖς ἐν πνεύματί σου ἐν χειρὶ προφητῶν σου, καὶ οὐκ ἐνωτίσαντο, καὶ ἔδωκας αὐτοὺς ἐν χειρὶ λαῶν τῆς γῆς.
KJVYet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
JPSYet many years didst Thou extend mercy unto them, and didst forewarn them by Thy spirit through Thy prophets; yet would they not give ear; therefore gavest Thou them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
31
Thomsonyet in the multitude of Thy tender mercies Thou didst not give them up to utter destruction, nor quite forsake them. Seeing Thou art mighty and merciful, and tenderly compassionate;
BrentonBut thou in thy many mercies didst not appoint them to destruction, and didst not forsake them; for thou art strong, and merciful, and pitiful.
GreekΚαὶ σὺ ἐν οἰκτιρμοῖς σου τοῖς πολλοῖς οὐκ ἐποίησας αὐτοὺς εἰς συντέλειαν, καὶ οὐκ ἐγκατέλιπες αὐτοὺς, ὅτι ἰσχυρὸς εἶ καὶ ἐλεήμων καὶ οἰκτίρμων.
KJVNevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
JPSNevertheless in Thy manifold mercies Thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for Thou art a gracious and merciful God.
32
Thomsonnow therefore, O our God, the Mighty, the Great, the Powerful and the Awful, Who keepest Thy covenant and Thy mercy, let not all the trouble be accounted light in Thy sight, which hath come upon us, and our kings, and our chiefs, and our priests, and our prophets, and our fathers, and on all Thy people from the days of the kings of Assur even to this day.
BrentonAnd now, O our God, the powerful, the great, the mighty, and the terrible, keeping thy covenant and thy mercy, let not all the trouble seem little in thy sight which has come upon us, and our kings, and our princes, and our priests, and our prophets, and our fathers, and upon all thy people, from the days of the kings of Assur even to this day.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν ὁ ἰσχυρὸς ὁ μέγας ὁ κραταιὸς καὶ ὁ φοβερὸς, φυλάσσων τὴν διαθήκην σου καὶ τὸ ἔλεός σου, μὴ ὀλιγωθήτω ἐνώπιόν σου πᾶς ὁ μόχθος ὃς εὗρεν ἡμᾶς, καὶ τοὺς βασιλεῖς ἡμῶν, καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας ἡμῶν, καὶ τοὺς ἱερεῖς ἡμῶν, καὶ τοὺς προφήτας ἡμῶν, καὶ τοὺς πατέρας ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐν παντὶ τῷ λαῷ σου ἀπὸ ἡμερῶν βασιλέων Ἀσσοὺρ καὶ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης.
KJVNow therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
JPSNow therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awful God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the travail seem little before Thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all Thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
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ThomsonThou indeed art righteous in all that have come upon us. For Thou hast acted with truth; but we have sinned greatly.
BrentonBut thou art righteous in all the things that come upon us; for thou hast wrought faithfully, but we have greatly sinned.
GreekΚαὶ σὺ δίκαιος ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἐρχομένοις ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, ὅτι ἀλήθειαν ἐποίησας· καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐξημάρτομεν,
KJVHowbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
JPSHowbeit Thou art just in all that is come upon us; for Thou hast dealt truly, but we have done wickedly;
34
ThomsonOur kings, and our chiefs, and our priests, and our fathers, have not kept Thy law, nor hearkened to Thy commandments and Thy testimonies which Thou hast testified against them.
BrentonAnd our kings, and our princes, and our priests, and our fathers, have not performed thy law, and have not given heed to thy commandments, and have not kept thy testimonies which thou didst testify to them.
Greekκαὶ οἱ βασιλεῖς ἡμῶν, καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν, καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς ἡμῶν, καὶ οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν οὐκ ἐποίησαν τὸν νόμον σου, καὶ οὐ προσέσχον τῶν ἐντολῶν σου, καὶ τὰ μαρτύριά σου ἃ διεμαρτύρω αὐτοῖς.
KJVNeither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.
JPSneither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept Thy law, nor hearkened unto Thy commandments and Thy testimonies, wherewith Thou didst testify against them.
35
ThomsonEven in Thine own kingdom, and during that abundant bounty of Thine which Thou didst bestow on them, and in this extensive and rich country which Thou gavest before them, they have not served Thee, nor turned away from their wicked devices.
BrentonAnd they did not serve thee in thy kingdom, and in thy great goodness which thou gavest to them, and in the large and fat land which thou didst furnish before them, and they turned not from their evil devices.
GreekΚαὶ αὐτοὶ ἐν βασιλείᾳ σου καὶ ἐν ἀγαθωσύνῃ σου τῇ πολλῇ ᾗ ἔδωκας αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐν τῇ γῇ τῇ πλατείᾳ καὶ λιπαρᾷ ᾗ ἔδωκας ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν, οὐκ ἐδούλευσάν σοι, καὶ οὐκ ἀπέστρεψαν ἀπὸ ἐπιτηδευμάτων αὐτῶν τῶν πονηρῶν.
KJVFor they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
JPSFor they have not served Thee in their kingdom, and in Thy great goodness that Thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which Thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
36
ThomsonBehold we are now slaves, and as for this land which Thou gavest to our fathers to eat the fruits thereof, and the good things thereof, behold we are slaves in it;
BrentonBehold, we are servants this day, and as for the land which thou gavest to our fathers to eat the fruit of it and the good things of it, behold, we are servants upon it:
GreekἸδοὺ σήμερον ἐσμὲν δοῦλοι, καὶ ἡ γῆ ἣν ἔδωκας τοῖς πατράσιν ἡμῶν φαγεῖν τὸν καρπὸν αὐτῆς καὶ τὰ ἀγαθὰ αὐτῆς, ἰδοὺ ἐσμὲν δοῦλοι ἐπʼ αὐτῆς, καὶ οἱ καρποὶ αὐτῆς πολλοὶ
KJVBehold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:
JPSBehold, we are servants this day, and as for the land that Thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it.
37
Thomsonand its abundant fruits belong to those kings whom for our sins Thou hast set over us, and who have dominion over our bodies, and who can do with our cattle what they please, so that we are in great affliction.
Brentonand its produce is abundant for the kings whom thou didst appoint over us because of our sins; and they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, as it pleases them, and we are in great affliction.
Greekτοῖς βασιλεῦσιν οἷς ἔδωκας ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ἐν ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ σώματα ἡμῶν ἐξουσιάζουσι, καὶ ἐν κτήνεσιν ἡμῶν, ὡς ἀρεστὸν αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐν θλίψει μεγάλῃ ἐσμέν.
KJVAnd it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
JPSAnd it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom Thou hast set over us because of our sins; also they have power over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.’