Where thereis novision,the peopleare unrestrained,But happyis he who keepsthe law.
For the LORDhumbledJudahbecauseof Ahazkingof Israel,for he had broughtabout a lackof restraintin Judahand was veryunfaithfulto the LORD.
How blessedare those who keepjustice,Who practicerighteousnessat alltimes!
Aleph. How blessedare those whose wayis blameless,Who walkin the lawof the LORD.
How blessedare those who observeHis testimonies,Who seekHim with all[their] heart.
Moreover,by them Your servantis warned;In keepingthem there is greatreward.
We do not seeour signs;Thereis nolongerany prophet,Noris there any amongus who knowshowlong.
Now when Mosessawthat the peoplewere out of control--for Aaronhad let them getout of controlto be a derisionamong their enemies--
He who keepsthe commandmentkeepshis soul,[But] he who is carelessof conductwill die.
A slavewill not be instructedby words[alone]; For though he understands,therewill be noresponse.
"Nowtherefore, [O] sons,listento me, For blessedare they who keepmy ways.
My peopleare destroyedfor lackof knowledge.Becauseyou have rejectedknowledge,I also will rejectyou from being My priest.Since you have forgottenthe lawof your God,I alsowill forgetyour children.
Seeingthe people,He felt compassionfor them, becausethey were distressedand dispiritedlikesheepwithouta shepherd.
But He said,"On the contrary,blessedare thosewho hearthe wordof Godand observeit."
"Ifyou knowthese things,you are blessedifyou dothem.
But one who looks intentlyat the perfectlaw,the [law] of liberty,and abidesby it, not having becomea forgetfulhearerbut an effectualdoer,this manwill be blessedin what he does.
Blessedare thosewho washtheir robes,sothat they may have the rightto the treeof life,and may enterby the gatesinto the city.
Now the boySamuelwas ministeringto the LORDbeforeEli.And wordfrom the LORDwas rarein thosedays,visionswere infrequent.
