for Herodwas afraidof John,knowingthat he was a righteousand holyman,and he kept him safe.And when he heardhim, he was veryperplexed;but he used to enjoylisteningto him.
Ahabsaidto Elijah,"Have you foundme, O my enemy?"And he answered,"I have found[you], becauseyou have soldyourself to doevilin the sightof the LORD.
When Elishabecamesickwith the illnessof whichhe was to die,Joashthe kingof Israelcamedownto him and weptoverhim and said,"My father,my father,the chariotsof Israeland its horsemen!"
Then the kingof Israelwhen he sawthem, saidto Elisha,"My father,shall I killthem? Shall I killthem?"
Joashdidwhat was rightin the sightof the LORDallthe daysof Jehoiadathe priest.
He continuedto seekGodin the daysof Zechariah,who had understandingthrough the visionof God;and as longas he soughtthe LORD,Godprosperedhim.
The LORDgavethe peoplefavorin the sightof the Egyptians.Furthermore,the manMoses[himself] was greatlyesteemed in the landof Egypt,[both] in the sightof Pharaoh'sservantsand in the sightof the people.
"Behold,you are to them like a sensualsongby one who has a beautifulvoiceand playswellon an instrument; for they hearyour wordsbut they do not practicethem.
Thisis the dream[which] I, KingNebuchadnezzar,have seen.Now you, Belteshazzar,tell[me] its interpretation,inasmuchas noneof the wisemenof my kingdomis ableto makeknownto me the interpretation;but you are able,for a spiritof the holygodsis in you.'
Therefore,O king,may my advicebe pleasingto you: breakawaynow from your sinsby [doing] righteousnessand from your iniquitiesby showingmercyto [the] poor,in casethere may be a prolongingof your prosperity.'
ThenDanielansweredand saidbeforethe king,"Keep your giftsfor yourself or giveyour rewardsto someoneelse;however,I will readthe inscriptionto the kingand makethe interpretationknownto him.
Although Herod wantedto put him to death,he fearedthe crowd,becausethey regardedJohnas a prophet.
"But ifwe say,'From men,'we fearthe people;for they allregardJohnas a prophet."
The chief priestsand the scribesheard[this], and [began] seekinghowto destroyHim; for they were afraidof Him, for the wholecrowdwas astonishedat His teaching.
"In a similar waytheseare the ones on whom seed was sownon the rocky[places], who,whenthey hearthe word,immediatelyreceiveit with joy;
"He was the lampthat was burningand was shiningand you were willingto rejoicefor a whilein his light.
And they allcontinued in amazementand great perplexity,sayingto oneanother,"Whatdoes thismean?"
Nowwhenthe captainof the temple[guard] and the chief priestsheardthesewords,they were greatly perplexedaboutthem as to whatwould comeof this.
