The LORD guides us in the way we should go and protects those who please him.

LORD, I know that none of us are in charge of our own destiny; none of us have control over our own life.

You acted against the Lord of heaven and brought in the cups and bowls taken from his Temple. You, your noblemen, your wives, and your concubines drank wine out of them and praised gods made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone---gods that cannot see or hear and that do not know anything. But you did not honor the God who determines whether you live or die and who controls everything you do.

as someone has said, 'In him we live and move and exist.' It is as some of your poets have said, 'We too are his children.'

Why is a clever person wise? Because he knows what to do. Why is a stupid person foolish? Because he only thinks he knows.

You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.

Teach me your ways, O LORD; make them known to me.

Those who have reverence for the LORD will learn from him the path they should follow.

I sent Assyria to attack a godless nation, people who have made me angry. I sent them to loot and steal and trample the people like dirt in the streets."

But the Assyrian emperor has his own violent plans in mind. He is determined to destroy many nations.