But I haven't made use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this now in order to claim such rights for myself. I would rather die first! Nobody is going to turn my rightful boast into empty words!

I did boast of you to him, and you have not disappointed me. We have always spoken the truth to you, and in the same way the boast we made to Titus has proved true.

Ezra was a scholar with a thorough knowledge of the Law which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to Moses. Because Ezra had the blessing of the LORD his God, the emperor gave him everything he asked for. In the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes, Ezra set out from Babylonia for Jerusalem with a group of Israelites which included priests, Levites, Temple musicians, Temple guards, and workers.

(SEE 7:8)

By God's grace I have won the favor of the emperor, of his counselors, and of all his powerful officials; the LORD my God has given me courage, and I have been able to persuade many of the heads of the clans of Israel to return with me."

And to Solomon he said, "My son, I charge you to acknowledge your father's God and to serve him with an undivided heart and a willing mind. He knows all our thoughts and desires. If you go to him, he will accept you; but if you turn away from him, he will abandon you forever.

The LORD keeps close watch over the whole world, to give strength to those whose hearts are loyal to him. You have acted foolishly, and so from now on you will always be at war."

The LORD watches over those who obey him, those who trust in his constant love.

He saves them from death; he keeps them alive in times of famine.

The LORD watches over the righteous and listens to their cries;

The LORD will save his people; those who go to him for protection will be spared.

The righteous will be happy, and things will go well for them. They will get to enjoy what they have worked for.

But evil people are doomed; what they have done to others will now be done to them.

The LORD is good to everyone who trusts in him,

We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.

For the Lord watches over the righteous and listens to their prayers; but he opposes those who do evil."

If you do not keep the covenant which the LORD your God commanded you to keep and if you serve and worship other gods, then in his anger he will punish you, and soon none of you will be left in this good land that he has given you."

and he went to meet King Asa. He called out, "Listen to me, King Asa, and all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The LORD is with you as long as you are with him. If you look for him, he will let you find him, but if you turn away, he will abandon you.

The king will capture all his enemies; he will capture everyone who hates him.

He will destroy them like a blazing fire when he appears. The LORD will devour them in his anger, and fire will consume them.

but he opposes those who do evil, so that when they die, they are soon forgotten.

Who has felt the full power of your anger? Who knows what fear your fury can bring?

The LORD said, "I am going to destroy everything on earth,

"I will punish the people of Jerusalem and of all Judah. I will destroy the last trace of the worship of Baal there, and no one will even remember the pagan priests who serve him.

I will destroy those who have turned back and no longer follow me, those who do not come to me or ask me to guide them."

My righteous people, however, will believe and live; but if any of them turns back, I will not be pleased with them."

For the Lord watches over the righteous and listens to their prayers; but he opposes those who do evil."