And thou, O Lord of hosts, prover of the just, who seest the reins and the heart: let me see, I beseech thee, thy vengeance on them, for to thee I have laid open my cause.
And the Lord said to Samuel: Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature: because I have rejected him. Nor do I judge according to the look of man: for man seeth those things that appear, but the Lord beholdeth the heart.
And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your works. But to you I say,
Let them be confounded that persecute me, and let not me be confounded: let them be afraid and let not me be afraid, bring upon them the day of affliction and with a double destruction destroy them.
O Lord, thou knowest, remember me, and visit me, and defend me from them that persecute me: do not defend me in thy patience, know that for thy sake I have suffered reproach.
I know, my God, that thou provest hearts, and lovest simplicity. Wherefore I also in the simplicity of my heart have joyfully offered all these things: and I have seen with great joy thy people, which are here present, offer thee their offerings.
Far be it from thee to do this thing, and to slay the just with the wicked, and for the just to be in like case as the wicked. This is not beseeming thee, thou who judgest all the earth, wilt not make this judgment.
Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in equity, by the man whom he hath appointed; giving faith to all, by raising him up from the dead.
Thou indeed, O Lord, art just, if I plead with thee, but yet I will speak what is just to thee: Why doth the way of the wicked prosper? Why is it well with all them that transgress and do wickedly?
And thou, my son Solomon, know the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and a willing mind. For the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the thoughts of minds. If thou seek him, thou shalt find him: but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
And thou, O Lord, hast known me, thou hast seen me and proved my heart with thee: gather them together as sheep for a sacrifice, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
And the spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said to me: Speak: Thus saith the Lord: Thus have you spoken, O house of Israel, for I know the thoughts of your heart.
And when Ezechias had received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and had read it, he went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.