The rulers meet and plot against me, but I will study your teachings.

I have many enemies and oppressors, but I do not fail to obey your laws.

Don't I have enough madmen already? Why bring another one to bother me with his crazy actions right here in my own house?"

and said, "Why do you listen to people who say that I am trying to harm you?

Look, my father, look at the piece of your robe I am holding! I could have killed you, but instead I only cut this off. This should convince you that I have no thought of rebelling against you or of harming you. You are hunting me down to kill me, even though I have not done you any wrong.

You know the old saying, 'Evil is done only by evil people.' And so I will not harm you.

The LORD will judge, and he will decide which one of us is wrong. May he look into the matter, defend me, and save me from you."

And he added, "Why, sir, are you still pursuing me, your servant? What have I done? What crime have I committed?

This, however, was bound to happen so that what is written in their Law may come true: 'They hated me for no reason at all.'

Tremble with fear and stop sinning; think deeply about this, when you lie in silence on your beds.

I have as much authority in this house as he has, and he has not kept back anything from me except you. How then could I do such an immoral thing and sin against God?"

On the third day Joseph said to them, "I am a God-fearing man, and I will spare your lives on one condition.

and you repented and humbled yourself before me, tearing your clothes and weeping, when you heard how I threatened to punish Jerusalem and its people. I will make it a terrifying sight, a place whose name people will use as a curse. But I have heard your prayer,

Every governor who had been in office before me had been a burden to the people and had demanded forty silver coins a day for food and wine. Even their servants had oppressed the people. But I acted differently, because I honored God.

Because I fear God's punishment, I could never do such a thing.

I myself created the whole universe! I am pleased with those who are humble and repentant, who fear me and obey me.

As soon as Jehudi finished reading three or four columns, the king cut them off with a small knife and threw them into the fire. He kept doing this until the entire scroll was burned up.

Although Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah begged the king not to burn the scroll, he paid no attention to them.