And the Egyptians tyrannized over the children of Israel by force.

And they embittered their life by hard labors, in the clay and in brick-making, and all the works in the plains, according to all the works, wherein they caused them to serve with violence.

And in those days after a length of time, the king of Egypt died. And the children of Israel groaned because of their tasks, and cried, and their cry because of their tasks went up to God.

And God heard their groanings, and God remembered His covenant [that He] made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

For this is his clothing, this is the only covering of his nakedness; how shall he sleep? If then he shall cry to Me, I will hearken to him, for I am merciful.

And they put away the strange gods from the midst of them, and served the Lord only, and His soul was pained for the trouble of Israel.

Because of the misery of the poor, and because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, says the Lord, I will set [them] in safety; I will speak [to them] openly.

So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter.

And now why are you here? Thus says the Lord: Because My people were taken for nothing, wonder and howl. Thus says the Lord: On account of you My name is continually blasphemed among the Gentiles.

because they persecuted him whom You have smitten; and they have added to the grief of my wounds.

Deliver me, for I am poor and needy; and my heart is troubled within me.

These things you did, and I kept silent; you thought wickedly that I should be like you, [but] I will reprove you, and set [your offenses] before you.

Because there is no contradiction made on the part of those who are quick to do evil, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully determined in them to do evil.

He that has sinned has done evil from that time, and from long beforehand. Nevertheless I know, that it is well with them that fear God, that they may fear before Him.

you that have provoked God with your words. But you said, In what way have we provoked Him? In that you say, Everyone that does evil is a pleasing object in the sight of the Lord, and He takes pleasure in such; and where is the God of justice?

And now we pronounce strangers blessed; and all they who act unlawfully are built up; and they have resisted God, and yet have been delivered.

Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

But according to your hardness and impenitent heart you are storing up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God,

and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you,