While he was stilltalkingwith them, behold,the messengercamedownto him and he said,"Behold,thisevilis from the LORD;whyshould I waitfor the LORDanylonger?"
Cainsaidto the LORD,"My punishmentis toogreatto bear!
Then the kingof Israelsaid,"Alas!For the LORDhas calledthesethreekingsto givethem into the handof Moab."
Then Elishasaid,"Listento the wordof the LORD;thussaysthe LORD,Tomorrowabout this timea measureof fineflourwill be [sold] for a shekel,and two measuresof barleyfor a shekel,in the gateof Samaria.'"
"But putforthYour handnowand touchallthat he has; he will surelycurseYou to Your face."
He said,"NakedI camefrom my mother'swomb,And nakedI shall returnthere.The LORDgaveand the LORDhas takenaway. Blessedbe the nameof the LORD."
That you should turnyour spiritagainstGodAnd allow [such] wordsto goout of your mouth?
"However,putforthYour handnow,and touchhis boneand his flesh;he will curseYou to Your face."
Then his wifesaidto him, "Do you stillholdfastyour integrity?CurseGodand die!"
Waitfor the LORD;Be strongand let your hearttakecourage;Yes, waitfor the LORD.
Restin the LORDand waitpatientlyfor Him; Do not fretbecause of him who prospersin his way,Because of the manwho carriesout wickedschemes.
For evildoerswill be cutoff,But those who waitfor the LORD,they will inheritthe land.
My soul,waitin silencefor Godonly,For my hopeis from Him.
The foolishnessof manruinshis way,And his heartragesagainstthe LORD.
"The steadfastof mindYou will keepin perfectpeace,Becausehe trustsin You.
Whois among you that fearsthe LORD,That obeysthe voiceof His servant,That walksin darknessand hasnolight?Let him trustin the nameof the LORDand relyon his God.
And I will waitfor the LORDwho is hidingHis facefrom the houseof Jacob;I will even lookeagerlyfor Him.
They will passthrough the land hard-pressedand famished,and it will turnout that whenthey are hungry,they will be enragedand cursetheir kingand their Godas they faceupward.
"Keepyour feetfrom being unshodAnd your throatfrom thirst;But you said,It is hopeless!No!For I have lovedstrangers,And afterthem I will walk.'
Whois therewho speaksand it comesto pass,Unlessthe Lordhas commanded[it]?
Whyshould [any] livingmortal,or [any] man,Offercomplaintin viewof his sins?
"Now as for you, sonof man,sayto the houseof Israel,'Thusyou have spoken,saying,"Surelyour transgressionsand our sinsare upon us, and we are rottingawayin them; howthen can we survive?"'
Ifa trumpetis blownin a citywill not the peopletremble?Ifa calamityoccursin a cityhas not the LORDdoneit?
"For the visionis yetfor the appointedtime;It hastenstoward the goaland it will not fail.Thoughit tarries,waitfor it; For it will certainlycome,it will not delay.
NowHe was tellingthem a parableto show that at all timesthey oughtto prayand not to lose heart,
sothat noadvantage would be takenof us by Satan,for we are not ignorantof his schemes.
sothat on the contraryyou should ratherforgiveand comfort[him], otherwisesuch a onemight be overwhelmedby excessivesorrow.
Then Saulsaidto his armorbearer,"Drawyour swordand pierceme throughwith it, otherwisetheseuncircumcisedwill comeand pierceme throughand makesportof me." But his armorbearerwouldnot, for he was greatlyafraid.So Saultookhis swordand fellon it.
